![]() It’s also found on the north western side of the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. In Canada, the Western Chorus Frog is only found in southwestern Ontario. This helped establish that some populations (in Eastern Ontario and Western Québec) that were believed to be Western Chorus frogs were, in fact, Boreal Chorus Frogs! The distribution maps shown here take this change into account. Recently, genetic studies were made on different populations of chorus frogs in Canada. Back to top Rangeĭistribution of the Western Chorus Forg (above) and the Boreal Chorus Frog (below) When temperatures rise, their bodies thaw and the frogs become active again. During the winter, they hide underground, under fallen logs or other forest debris until spring comes. These ephemeral ponds may appear in fields, urban areas, woodland floors or roadside ditches.Īfter the breeding season, during late spring and summer, chorus frogs are found in forest openings or other open habitats close to their breeding habitats, or near ponds and other aquatic habitats with still water.Ĭhorus frogs are some of the few species that can actually survive being frozen. Chorus frogs also prefer spots where the water is still (with no current) and where there is vegetation. These temporary freshwater habitats appear in the spring, when the snow melts, creating shallow ponds that dry up as the weather becomes warmer. ![]() ![]() Since most ponds, marshes or swamps are the habitat to fish and other animals that may predate on frog eggs and tadpoles, chorus frogs prefer to breed in ephemeral aquatic habitats. Both species have similar needs, so their habitats tend to be alike.Ĭhorus frogs breed in a variety of aquatic habitats. Back to top Habitat and HabitsĬhorus Frog habitat in the spring, a vernal wetlandīecause chorus frogs have a complex life cycle, like most other amphibians, they need aquatic and terrestrial habitats to survive. The frequency of the calls increases with the temperature. Some confuse them with Spring Peepers, but unlike the peepers, which are most often heard at night, chorus frogs call night and day. Their calls are very similar but they vary in pulse and length. This loud call can be heard from a kilometre away.īoth species’ breeding call resembles the sound made by running a fingernail along the teeth of a comb. It’s easier to spot them in the spring, when males and sometimes females form large choruses. Their body is round with a clear tail.īecause of their small size and colour, chorus frogs are very hard to spot in the vegetation. Their tadpoles (the life stage between the egg and the adult) are grey or brown. Adults tend to live only for one year, but some have lived as many as three years. ![]() Males are slightly smaller than females, but the surest way to tell sexes apart is by the fact that only males call and can inflate their yellow vocal sacs. Their belly is generally yellow-white to light green. They are two of our smallest frogs, but best ways to tell them apart from other frogs is by the three dark stripes down their backs, which can be broken into blotches, by their white upper lip, and by the dark line that runs through each eye. Their smooth (although a bit granular) skin varies in colour from green-grey to brownish. They are pear-shaped, with a large body compared to their pointed snout. While the Western Chorus Frog might have slightly shorter legs than the Boreal Chorus Frog, and that their respective calls have different structures, genetics have proven this.īoreal Chorus Frog (left), Western Chorus Frog (right)Ĭhorus Frogs are about the size of large grape, about 2.5cm long on average, with a maximum of 4cm. Prior to 1989, all Canadian chorus frogs were considered to be one species, as they are very similar – it’s even hard for scientists to differentiate them! Studies determined, though, that they are indeed different. ![]() There are two species of chorus frogs here in Canada: the Boreal Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris maculata) and the Western Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris triseriata). ![]()
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