Wood Frog

Lithobates sylvaticus

The Wood Frog is a special frog that can survive cold winters! They have a unique brown color that helps them blend in.

Habitat: Forests and wetlands

Appearance

The Wood Frog has smooth skin, typically reddish-brown, tan, or gray, with a distinctive dark mask from its snout extending back over its eardrum. Its underside is whitish, and it often has light lines along its jaw.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyRanidaeGenusLithobates

Wood Frog

Interesting facts

Male wood frogs sound like a flock of ducks quacking when they call for mates!

Their amazing spring breeding choruses are often one of the very first sounds of spring.

They are 'indicator species'; their health tells us if the forest environment is healthy.

Wood frog tadpoles are mostly vegetarians, munching on tiny algae and decaying plants.

Special abilities

Wood Frogs can freeze solid and thaw out later because their bodies produce a natural antifreeze, helping them survive winter.

Wood Frogs have mottled brown and tan skin that helps them blend perfectly with leaf litter and tree bark, hiding from predators.

Wood Frogs have powerful hind legs that help them make quick, long jumps to escape danger or catch fast-moving prey.

Measurements & details

Length: 3.5-7 cm
Weight: 0.005-0.02 kg
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Top Speed: 8 km/h
Clutch Size: 1000-3000
Metamorphosis: 45-70 days

Diet & Feeding

Wood Frogs are tiny hunters, using their sticky tongues to catch small insects and spiders.

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

Primary Foods

Ants
Beetles
Spiders
Slugs
Worms
Flies

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

Predates adult and juvenile frogs.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Hunts frogs from above.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Forages for frogs near water.

hunts

Silky Ant

Formica subsericea

A primary food source for adults.

Traits

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.

Ancient Lineage

This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Hibernating

Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity.

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.