PSEUDACRIS TRISERIATA
(Striped Chorus Frog)
P.t.  maculata  (Boreal Chorus Frog)


COMMON NAME:  Striped Chorus Frog
 

SCIENTIFIC NAME:  Pseudacris triseriata
 

STATUS:  Federal- No status;  States- No status
 

RANKING:  Global- Secure;  Idaho- Apparently secure

FOREST PRESENT:  Ashley, Caribou,  Bridger-Teton, Fishlake
        POSSIBLE: Boise, Dixie, Manti-LaSal, Sawtooth, Uinta, Wasatch-Cache

DESCRIPTION:  The Boreal Chorus Frog is quite small, 3/4 to  1 1/2 inches in length.  It has long toes but rather small toe pads with little webbing.  A dark stripe extends from the eye to the groin.  There are usually three rows of stripes or spots on the dorsal surface.  The snout is pointed.  It is distinguished from the Western Chorus Frog by the shorter femur and darker stripes or spots on the back.

LIFE HISTORY:  The Boreal Chorus Frog, a subspecies of the Western Chorus Frog, is found in Western Wyoming, Southern Idaho, and most higher elevations in Utah,  This frog can be found in marshes, ponds and small lakes up to the subalpine zone.  It has been found up to 12,000 feet in the Uinta Mountains.  The species is one of the earliest amphibians to emerge and is usually out before snow and ice are completely gone.  The Boreal Chorus Frog breeds from late winter to summer.  It rarely migrated more than 100 yards from the breeding areas.
 

BREEDING:  The Boreal Chorus Frog deposits its eggs in clear water bodies lacking current such as rain pools, marshes, lakes and reservoirs.  The pigmented eggs are laid in clusters of 30-75 and attached to submerged vegetation.  Single females can lay up to 1,500 eggs.


DIET:  The larvae feed on organic debris, algae and plant tissue. They usually metamorphose in  60 days.  Adults eat various insects and small invertebrates.
 

VOICE:  A loud vibrating chirping sound that sounds like a finger running across the teeth of a comb.  Similar to Western Chorus Frog's call but longer and slower pulse rate.  Call lasts 1/2 to 1 1/2 seconds.  Calls are made during the night. At the height of breeding season the calls can be heard during the day.  For recorded CALL.  If you want a short DESCRIPTION WITH THE CALL, you can find it here.
 

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USDA, Forest Service
Federal Building
324 25th Street
Ogden, Utah  84401