Green Frog Tadpole

Along with the adult green frog, Rana clamitans, that our class found at a stream in Hueston Woods State Park on April 22, 2010, we also found a green frog tadpole. The tadpole was swimming at the edge of the stream in a fairly deep area (about a foot deep). The tadpole would use the small crevices created by overhanging limestone to hide; however, I was able to use a net to scare the tadpole out of the crevice so that I could catch it. We were able to identify the tadpole as a green frog, Rana clamitans, due to the shape of the spots. If you look closely at the spots they are fuzzy and not just circular spots. Rana clamitans tadpoles have fuzzy spots whereas northern leopard frog tadpoles, Rana pipiens, have circular spots.

Adult green frogs breed from April through the summer, and as Tom has already mentioned lay 1-2 clutches with a couple thousand eggs. The tapoles eat algae and plants and can grow up to 1.5 inches. Most of the tadpoles will metamorphose within a few months, however some tadpoles from clutches late in the summer may overwinter before metamorphosing.

After metamorphosing, juvenile frogs will move into woods and meadows while its raining. Juvenile frogs may disperse up to 3 miles. Juvenile and adult frogs are carnivores and will eat about anything that they can fit into their mouth. They are known to eat insects, fish, crayfish, other frogs, tadpoles, and small snakes.

Overall, we had a very success day at Hueston Woods. Plus it was fun climbing all of the water falls. Is there anything better to do on Earth Day than to go enjoy the outdoors and catch some herps?

Posted by Tim Hake. Picture courtesy of Tammy McPeek.