Pseudacris clarkii

The spotted chorus frog or Clark's tree frog (Pseudacris clarkii) is a small, nocturnal chorus frog native to the grasslands and prairies of the central United States and Tamaulipas, Mexico.

DESCRIPTION

• Adult Clark's treefrogs are quite small, with males typically ranging from 0.75 to 1.3 inches (1.9 to 3.3 centimeters) in length, while females are slightly larger, reaching up to 1.4 inches (3.5 centimeters).

• These treefrogs have relatively slender bodies with long, slim legs, which are adapted for jumping and climbing in arboreal habitats.

• Dorsal Color: They often have a greenish to brownish dorsal (upper) color with irregular darker markings, which can resemble a mottled or marbled pattern. These markings provide effective camouflage in their natural habitats.

• Ventral Color: The ventral (lower) surface is typically lighter and may have a creamy or whitish background color with fewer markings.

• The skin of Clark's treefrogs is relatively smooth and glandular, which helps with moisture retention.

• These treefrogs have adhesive toe pads that enable them to cling to vegetation, tree branches, and other surfaces in their arboreal habitats.

• Clark's treefrogs have webbing between their toes, which aids in swimming and provides extra surface area for better adhesion to surfaces.

• They have a relatively flat head with large, round eyes. Their eyes are positioned more toward the sides of their head, giving them a wide field of vision.

• Like many frogs, Clark's treefrogs have distinct circular eardrums or tympanums located behind their eyes. These structures are involved in detecting sound, particularly during the mating season.

• In some cases, males and females of this species may have subtle differences in size, coloration, and markings, but sexual dimorphism is generally not as pronounced as in some other frog species.

REPRODUCTION

• Male spotted chorus frogs arrive at breeding ponds earlier than females and begin calling to attract mates.

• When a female arrives, the male spotted chorus frog will mount her back and grasp her tightly with his forelimbs. This position is called amplexus.

• The male spotted chorus frog will then release sperm into the water, which will fertilize the female's eggs as she lays them.

• Female spotted chorus frogs lay their eggs in large masses, which can contain several thousand eggs.

• The egg masses are attached to aquatic plants or other objects in the water.

• The eggs hatch into tadpoles within 2-3 weeks.

• Spotted chorus frog tadpoles are herbivores and feed on algae and other aquatic plants.

• Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis, which is the process of transforming from an aquatic larva to a terrestrial adult.

• Metamorphosis takes about 6-8 weeks for spotted chorus frog tadpoles.

• Adult spotted chorus frogs are carnivores and feed on a variety of insects and other invertebrates.

• Spotted chorus frogs can live for up to 10 years in the wild.

HABITAT

Clark's treefrogs are closely associated with various aquatic habitats, such as:

• Swamps and Marshes: They inhabit freshwater swamps and marshy areas with abundant vegetation.

• Ponds: They are often found near the edges of ponds, including both permanent and temporary ponds.

• Rain-Filled Pools: Temporary rain-filled pools and ditches serve as breeding sites.

• Slow-Moving Streams: They may be present in areas near slow-moving or seasonal streams.

While primarily associated with aquatic environments, they can also be found in adjacent terrestrial habitats, including:

• Forests: They may venture into nearby wooded areas, particularly during wet conditions.

• Grasslands: Occasionally, they can be found in grassy fields near water sources.