Mink Frog

Lithobates septentrionalis

The Mink Frog is a small, greenish frog that loves to live near water. It has a soft, smooth skin and can be found hopping around in wetlands and ponds.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Mink Frog is typically olive to brown-green, often with irregular dark blotches or spots across its back and legs. Its underside is whitish, and males can have a yellow throat during breeding season, making it visually distinct from its spotted kin.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyRanidaeGenusLithobates

Mink Frog

Interesting facts

Males of this species have eardrums that are much larger than their eyes, helping them hear rival calls!

Mink Frogs are named for the strong, musky odor they release when disturbed, which smells a bit like a mink!

Their unique call sounds like 'gick-gick-gick' or sometimes a 'chuck-chuck', similar to tapping two stones together!

Unlike many frogs, Mink Frogs prefer cooler water and are often found in northern lakes and slow rivers!

Special abilities

Mink Frogs can release a smelly musk from their skin that smells like rotting onions, because it helps deter hungry predators.

Mink Frogs have powerful hind legs and webbed feet that help them dive deep and swim quickly through watery homes.

Mink Frogs have olive-green or brown skin with irregular dark spots, which helps them blend perfectly into their pond surroundings.

Measurements & details

Length: 4.5-7.6 cm
Weight: 0.01-0.03 kg
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Top Speed: 5 km/h
Clutch Size: 500-4000
Metamorphosis: 45-75 days

Diet & Feeding

This hungry frog loves to snack on insects and other small creatures found near water.

Age differences: Tadpoles eat algae and detritus, while adult Mink Frogs are carnivores.

Primary Foods

flies
beetles
spiders
small crustaceans
snails

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Snakes often prey on small frogs near water.

eaten by

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Herons stalk the shallows to catch unwary frogs.

eats

Green Darner Dragonfly

Anax junius

Adult frogs snatch flying dragonflies with their tongues.

eaten by

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Large fish will ambush tadpoles and smaller frogs.

Traits

Webbed Feet

Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming.

Solitary

Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.