Western Chorus Frog

Pseudacris triseriata

The Western Chorus Frog is a small, lively frog that loves to hop around in wetlands and grassy areas. They have a special call that sounds like a chorus of music, especially in springtime!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Western Chorus Frog is a small, slender amphibian, typically grey, brown, or olive-green. It has three dark stripes down its back, which may be broken into spots, and a distinctive dark stripe through each eye. A white stripe often runs along its upper lip.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyHylidaeGenusPseudacris

Western Chorus Frog

Interesting facts

Even in freezing temperatures, a special natural 'antifreeze' in their blood protects their cells.

Their unique call sounds exactly like a thumb running along the teeth of a comb!

These tiny frogs can be found living much further east than their 'Western' name suggests!

Young tadpoles munch on algae, acting like tiny pond cleaners before they become froglets!

Special abilities

Western Chorus Frog can survive freezing solid during winter because of special compounds in its blood that prevent cell damage.

Western Chorus Frog has a loud, comb-like call that helps them find mates in noisy wetlands, even from far away.

Western Chorus Frog can lighten or darken its skin color to perfectly match its surroundings, helping it hide from predators.

Measurements & details

Length: 1.9-3.8 cm
Weight: 0.001-0.005 kg
Lifespan: 1-3 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 500-1500
Metamorphosis: 42-84 days

Diet & Feeding

These tiny frogs feast on small insects and spiders found in their wet habitats.

Age differences: Tadpoles eat algae and detritus, while adults are carnivores eating small invertebrates.

Primary Foods

Ants
Beetles
Spiders
Mites
Flies
Mosquito larvae

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Snakes are common predators, ambushing frogs near water.

eaten by

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Large wading birds will hunt frogs in shallow waters.

eaten by

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Larger frogs are opportunistic predators of smaller amphibians.

hunts

Silky Ant

Formica fusca

Frogs actively hunt ants and other small ground-dwelling insects.

hunts

Common House Mosquito

Culex pipiens

Adult frogs catch mosquitoes, helping control insect populations.

Traits

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

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.