(Pacific Tree [or Chorus] Frog)
|
(Pacific Tree [or Chorus] Frog) |
| COMMON NAME: Pacific Tree [or Chorus] Frog
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pseudacris regilla
STATUS: Federal- No status; Utah-
Species of special concern
RANKING: Global- Secure; Idaho-
Secure; Nevada- Not provided
FOREST PRESENT: Humboldt-Toiyabe, Payette
REMARKS: Fishlake record is questionable |
 |
DESCRIPTION: The Pacific Tree Frog
is quite small, between 3/4 to 2 inches in length. It has large toe
pads but limited webbing. The dorsal coloration varies greatly, from
tan to black and often has spots. Individuals can quickly change
color but the basic hue remains. A dark eye stripe is always present
by maybe difficult to observe on dark individuals. Dark spots maybe
present on the back and legs as well as a dark "Y" shaped spot between
the eyes. Ventral coloration is cream colored with yellow on the
hindquarters. Adult males have a dark and wrinkled throat.
Tadpoles are dark above and light colored below. Their eyes are laterally
positioned and protrude beyond the margin of the head when viewed from
above.
LIFE HISTORY: The Pacific Tree
Frog is a ground dwelling frog that inhabits a wide variety of habitats,
from grasslands to woodland forests, usually in low vegetation close to
water. This frog is alternatively know as the Pacific Chorus Frog
and assigned to the genus Hyla by some authors. In Region 4, the
Canyon Tree Frog ranges as far East as Central Idaho and Eastern Nevada.
It can be found up to 11,600 feet in elevation.
BREEDING: The Pacific Tree Frog breeds in ponds, ditches, lakes, reservoirs, marshes and slow moving streams. It has been known to breed in slightly brackish water. The breeding season occurs from November to July, depending on the area. The pigmented eggs are laid in clusters, normally numbering 20-25 eggs each, and the eggs are attached to submerged vegetation or other objects. Each female can lay up to 600 eggs.
DIET: Pacific Tree Frog larvae
feed on periphyton, filamentous algae and benthic detritus. They
also surface feed on diatoms and pollen. Adults feed on beetles,
flies, ants, spiders and isopods.
VOICE: Call is a loud two part "kreck-ek"
that is high pitched and maybe uttered in sequence. It lasts about
1 second and is mainly given at night. This is the stereotypical
frog call you hear in movies for outdoor night scenes. You can listen
to the CALL of the Pacific
Tree Frog WITH SHORT DESCRIPTION.
USDA,
Forest Service
Federal
Building
324
25th Street
Ogden,
Utah 84401