Chorus Frogs | Herps of Texas

Pseudacris clarkii

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudacris clarkii

Common Name. Spotted Chorus Frog

General information. Pseudacris clarkii is nocturnal feeding on small insects. This species is inactive during dry weather.

Protected status. The Spotted Chorus Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small, slender frog with small, round toe pads.

Coloration. Pale gray or olive ground color, with scattered bright green spots. Tan or brown dorsal color Spots are outlined in black, and may fuse to form longitudinal stripes Green triangle on head between eyes which points posteriorly White ventral surface.

General distribution. In North America, Pseudacris clarkii is found from Nebraska to the southern tip of Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pseudacris clarkii is found in a wide band from north to south Texas, excluding only far east and far west Texas.

Habitat. Pseudacris clarkii inhabits moist habitats around grasslands and prairies.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs all year in Pseudacris clarkii, but only coincides with rain, and peaks in April or May.

Size. Pseudacris clarkii is a small chorus frog, reaching an adult length at 2-3 cm (0.75-1.25 in).

Calls.

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Pseudacris crucifer

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudacris crucifer

Common Name. Spring Peeper

General information. Pseudacris crucifer is nocturnal and is rarely seen except during breeding season; P. crucifer hibernates in very cold weather.

Protected status. The Spring Peeper is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Small, slender body with large toe pads and unwebbed toes.

Coloration. Dorsal color varies from yellow, brown, olive, to gray Dark cross on dorsal surface in shape of an ‘X’ Plain ventral surface Females are generally lighter in coloration.

General distribution. In North America, Pseudacris crucifer is found from the southern parts of eastern Canada, south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Pseudacris crucifer found in Texas, P. c. crucifer, is restricted to the eastern quarter of the state.

Habitat. Pseudacris crucifer prefers woodland areas and areas of brushy growth near small temporary ponds.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs from November to February, depending on the temperature. Single eggs are laid among underwater vegetation.

Size. Pseudacris crucifer reaches an adult length between 3-5 cm (1.25-2 in).

Calls.

Pseudacris fouquettei

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudacris fouquettei

Common Name. Cajun Chorus Frog

General information. Pseudacris fouquettei is nocturnal and will retreat to water or find cover when approached. Pseudacris fouquettei is insectivorous.

Protected status. The Cajun Chorus Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Slightly webbed toes with round disks on tips. One toe on each foot much longer than others

Coloration. Brown or gray with highly variable markings across the dorsal surface Three longitudinal stripes, which may be broken into spots, if at all present. White line along upper lip. Dark stripes through eyes. Dark triangle on head between eyes. Ventral surfaces light colored with dark lines on breast.

General distribution. In North America, Pseudacris fouquettei is found from western Mississippi, through Louisiana into east Texas. Widely distributed across Arkansas, portions of eastern Oklahoma and the bootheel of Missouri.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Pseudacris fouquettei can be found from the Piney Woods in east Texas, through the eastern Post Oak Savannah to the edges of the prairies in Central Texas

Habitat. Pseudacris fouquettei can often be found in or near moist wet areas, such as swamps, bogs, and ponds.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs from November to May.

Size. Pseudacris fouquettei reaches an adult length between 2-4 cm (0.75-1.5 in).

Calls.

Pseudacris streckeri

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Pseudacris streckeri

Common Name. Strecker’s Chorus Frog

General information. Pseudacris streckeri is nocturnal, feeding on insects. Pseudacris streckeri can burrow into the soil with its front limbs to shelter itself from heat and predation.

Protected status. Strecker’s Chorus Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Large, stout frog with its toes slightly webbed with disks at tips

Coloration. Varies from gray, brown, olive, to green ground color Dark stripe through eye as well as a dark spot under the eye Dark spots run longitudinally along back. Deep yellow or orange coloration in groin.

General distribution. In North America, Pseudacris streckeri is found in a broad band through central and eastern Oklahoma and Texas.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Pseudacris streckeri in Texas, P. s. streckeri, is found in the eastern half of the state.

Habitat. Pseudacris streckeri is seen in moist woodland areas, rocky ravines, near streams, in swamps, or in cultivated fields.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs from November to April or May in Pseudacris streckeri. Eggs are laid in water and attached to vegetation.

Size. Pseudacris streckeri reaches an adult length between 2.5-4 cm (1-1.5 in).

Calls.

Map. Map is based on museum voucher specimens; last updated 12 November 2014.