Field Guide

WAVE Foundation at the Newport Aquarium FrogWatch USA Chapter

Alle Barber

E-mail: abarber@wavefoundation.org Office #: (859)815-1422

Dan Dunlap

E-mail: ddunlap@wavefoundation.org Office #: (859)815-1442

<Updated February 2015>

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The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is dedicated to excellence in animal care and welfare, conservation, education, and research that collectively

inspires respect for animals and nature.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents................................................................................................................................ ii State Species List .............................................................................................................................. 1

Individual Species Information .................................................................................................. 2-16 Field Guide Reference Charts ....................................................................................................... 8-20

Call Dates for Frogs & Toads in Ohio and Kentucky ....................................................................... 8 Call Descriptions of Frogs & Toads in Ohio and Kentucky.............................................................. 9 Site Monitoring Chart of Frogs & Toads in Ohio and Kentucky ..................................................... 10 Species Habitat Chart .................................................................................................................. 11

Monitoring Visit Preparations ........................................................................................................... 12 FrogWatch USA Monitoring Equipment Kit ................................................................................... 12 Safety........................................................................................................................................... 12

Monitoring Protocol .......................................................................................................................... 13 Weather Data Quick Reference ....................................................................................................... 14

Ambient Air Temperature ............................................................................................................. 14 Wind Speed ................................................................................................................................. 14

Survey Site Registration ................................................................................................................... 15 Observation Datasheet .................................................................................................................... 16 Association of Zoos and Aquariums ................................................................................................. 18

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State Species List

Frogs and Toads in Kentucky and Ohio local counties American bullfrog American toad Cope's gray treefrog Fowler's toad Gray treefrog Green frog Northern cricket frog Northern leopard frog Pickerel frog Spring peeper Wood frog Western Chorus Frog This site has a good representation of the frogs and toads in Ohio with pictures: http://trekohio.com/2012/03/17/ohio-frogs-toads/

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American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Description: Their color varies from brownish to shades of green, often with spots or blotches of a darker color around their backs. Geographic Range: All throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Some have been introduced into other parts of the world as well. Call Description: Very deep call. Almost like a deep mooing cow. Some people say it sounds like “jug-o-rum”.

Link to call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0026 Notes: This is the largest frog in North America. They can be as big as 8 inches

American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) (Used to be Bufo americanus)

Description Brown-reddish-olive. Sometimes patterned. Brownish/orange warts. Underside spotted. Dark throat on males. Geographic Range Grassy yards, forested mountains. Manitoba-Labrador & Maritime Provinces & New England Canada. Also Georgia, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin. Call Description Musical trill. Lasts 30 seconds.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0006 Notes Breeds from March-July

Warning Toads have enlarged glands (called the paratoid glands) on the side of the neck, one behind each eye. These glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing nausea, irregular heartbeat, and, in extreme cases, death. Toads pose a danger to pets, which may pounce on and bite them. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.

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Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) Description Skin is rough; greenish or brownish to gray, with several large dark blotches on back. Dark-edged light spot beneath eye. Under surfaces of thighs bright yellow-orange. Large toed pads. Geographic Range From south Ontario and Maine to northern Florida west to central Texas, north through Oklahoma to Manitoba Call Description A hearty, resonating trill, usually heard in spring to early summer.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0557 Notes The difference between the Cope’s Gray Treefrog and the Gray Treefrog is extremely hard to tell. Only key difference is the fact that the Cope’s Gray has a faster trill than the normal Gray Treefrog. Breeds and calls between April and August.

Fowler’s Toad (Bufo fowleri)

Description Large toad with a light stripe down middle of back. Prominent cranial crests. Yellow to green to brown. Geographic Range Widespread throughout most of the United States. Call Description Like the bleat of a sheep with a cold. Males call while sitting in quiet water.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0748 Notes Calls and breed from March to August. Nocturnal, frequently seen catching insects and other prey under lights close to human civilization. Warning Toads have enlarged glands (called the paratoid glands) on the side of the neck, one behind each eye. These glands secrete a viscous white poison that gets smeared in the mouth of any would-be predator, inflaming the mouth and throat and causing nausea, irregular heartbeat, and, in extreme cases, death. Toads pose a danger to pets, which may pounce on and bite them. Humans should take care to wash their hands after handling a toad, and to avoid touching the mouth or eyes until having done so.

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Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) Description Skin is rough; greenish or brownish to gray, with several large dark blotches on back. Dark-edged light spot beneath eye. Under surfaces of thighs bright yellow-orange. Large toed pads. *Note the color variations of the frogs. Geographic Range From south Ontario and Maine to northern Florida west to central Texas, north through Oklahoma to Manitoba Call Description A hearty, resonating trill, usually heard in spring to early summer.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0020 Notes The difference between the Cope’s Gray Treefrog and the Gray Treefrog is extremely hard to tell. Only key difference is the fact that the Cope’s Gray has a faster trill than the normal Gray Treefrog. Breeds and calls between April and August.

Green Frog (Rana clamitans) Description Green, bronze, or brown; large external eardrum and prominent dorsolateral ridges that not reach the groin area. Typically green on the upper lip. Belly is usually white with darker pattern of lines or spots. Males have yellow throat and swollen thumbs. Geographic Range Widespread throughout eastern North America. Call Description Like the twang of a loose banjo string, usually given as a single note, but sometimes repeated rapidly several times.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0027 Notes Calls March to August Green frogs are not as wary as many other frog species. They seldom scream in alarm when caught.

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Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans) Description Rough skin; greenish-brown, yellow, red, or black. Dark triangle between eyes and longitudinal dark stripes on back of thigh. Snout is rounded. Extensive webbing of hind feet reaching tip of first toe and next-to-last joint of longest tow. Geographic Range Southern New York to Florida panhandle west to Texas and southeast New Mexico, north to South Dakota. Call Description A shrill, measured clicking. They sound similar to crickets.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0554 Notes Calls April to August. Diurnal. Quite abundant where found. Very long jumps compared to the size of this frog species.

Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)

Description Slender brown or green frog with large, light-edged dark sport between light-colored dorsolateral ridges. These ridges continue from the front of the eyes to the groin area. Light stripe on upper jaw. Eardrum with light center. Geographic Range Throughout northern North America excluding the West Coast. Call Description A low guttural snore last about 3 full seconds, followed by several clucking notes.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0156 Notes Calls March to June. When pursued on land or frightened, this species will leap away in a zig zag formation until reaching the security of the closest water source.

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Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris) Description Smooth-skinned, tan, with parallel rows of dark square-like blotches running down the back. Jaw has light stripe around it. Dorsolateral folds are yellow while belly and under surfaces of hind legs can be bright yellow to orange. Geographic Range Throughout the eastern United States excluding the extreme Southeast. Call Description A steady low croak. May call in a rolling snore while under the water.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0031 Notes Breeds and call from March to May. If in distress this frog will secrete sticky mucous through the pores in its skin which will kill other frogs.

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) Description Tan to brown to gray with a large “X” on its back Geographic Range Throughout the eastern half of the United States excluded extreme southern Florida. Call Description A high-pitched ascending whistle, sometimes with a short trill. Chorus sounds like the jingle of bells. Males call from shrubs and trees standing in our hanging over a water source.

Link to call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0014 Notes This is one of the most familiar frogs of the eastern United States. One of the first frogs to call in the spring. Breeding and calling occur between the months of early March to June. May call in late February if there is a warm rain.

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Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) Description Pink, tan, or dark brown, with prominent dark mask ending abruptly behind the eardrum. Light stripe on upper jaw; sometimes a light line down the middle of the back. Dorsolateral ridges are prominent. White belly, may have dark mottling. Toes not fully webbed. Geographic Range Widespread throughout northern North America Call Description A series of short raspy quacks.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=AR0033 Notes Only North American frog found north of the Arctic Circle. More easily found in the colder parts of its range. First frog to come out of hibernation. Sometimes breeding before the ice melts.

Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)

Description Skin smooth, greenish-gray to brown. Three dark stripes down back that can be broken, reduced and sometimes absent. Dark stripe through eye and white stripe along upper lip. Small round toe tips. Geographic Range Widespread. Alberta to north New York and south to Georgia, west to Arizona. Probably won’t be heard in Kentucky, but can be found in Ohio. Call Description A rasping, rising trill lasting 1-2 seconds, like the sound of the fingernail running over the teeth of a comb. Males usually call while sitting on floating vegetation.

Link to the call: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?allSpecies=y&searchText=Pseudacris%20triseriata&curGroupID=7&lgfromWhere=&curPageNum=1

Notes Breeding and calling late February to August. They emerge before ice has all melted and will not hesitate to dive into the water if provoked.

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Field Guide Reference Charts

Call Dates for Frogs & Toads in Ohio and Kentucky

Feb. March April May June July Aug.

American bullfrog- OH/KY

Gray treefrog – OH/KY

Northern cricket frog – OH/KY

Green frog – OH/KY

Northern leopard frog – OH/KY

Cope's gray treefrog – OH/KY

Fowler’s toad – OH/KY

American toad – OH/KY

Wood frog – OH/KY

Pickerel frog – OH/KY

Spring peeper – OH/KY

Western chorus frog – OH

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Call Descriptions of Frogs & Toads in Ohio and Kentucky

Species

Description of Call

American bullfrog – OH and KY

Very deep call. Almost like a deep mooing cow. Some people say it sounds like “jug-o-rum”.

Gray Treefrog – OH and KY

A hearty, resonating trill, usually heard in spring to early summer.

Northern cricket frog – OH and KY

A shrill, measured clicking

Western Chorus Frog – OH only

A rasping, rising trill lasting 1-2 seconds, like the sound of a fingernail running over the teeth of a comb.

Northern leopard frog – OH and KY

A low guttural snore last about 3 full seconds, followed by several clucking notes.

Cope's gray treefrog – OH and KY

A hearty, resonating trill.

Fowler’s Toad – OH and KY

Like the bleat of a sheep with a cold.

American Toad – OH and KY

Musical trill. Lasts 30 seconds.

Pickerel Frog – OH and KY

A steady low croak.

Spring Peeper – OH and KY

A high-pitched ascending whistle, sometimes with a short trill. Chorus sounds like the jingle of bells.

Wood Frog – OH and KY

A series of short raspy quacks.

Green Frog – OH and KY

Like the twang of a loose banjo string, usually given as a single note, but sometimes repeated rapidly several times.

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Site Monitoring Chart of Frogs & Toads in Ohio and Kentucky

Species Habitat Type

American bullfrog – OH and KY

Temperate & freshwater marshes, swamps and bogs usually around lakes, rivers and ponds.

Gray Treefrog – OH and KY

Temperate and terrestrial forests around any type of water or wetness.

Northern cricket frog – OH and KY

Sluggish streams and ponds.

Western Chorus Frog – OH only

Grassy areas near water. Also swamps, suburbs and woodland areas. Not always around water.

Northern leopard frog – OH and KY

Most commonly found in open-field habitats near water, but can be found at almost any wetland type.

Cope's gray treefrog – OH and KY

Temperate and terrestrial forests around any type of water or wetness.

Fowler’s Toad – OH and KY

Areas with sandy or small gravel to burrow in. Found in meadows, ditches, yards, gardens, etc.

American Toad – OH and KY

Any wetland with trees.

Pickerel Frog – OH and KY

Damp areas, densely covered with vegetation near streams, swamps & ponds.

Spring Peeper – OH and KY

Wooded area near any wetland. Usually where people aren’t found.

Wood Frog – OH and KY

Wooded area near a marsh or small pond. Usually with significant vegetation.

Green Frog – OH and KY

Lakes, rivers, springs, streams or seeps with year-round water access and heavy vegetation.

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Species Habitat Chart

Notes: Use this area to keep track of the locations that you like to listen at and what types of wetlands are present. This makes for easy reference when filling out your forms.

Site Location

Wetland Type

Latitude/Longitude (Longitude is always neg.)

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Monitoring Visit Preparations

FrogWatch USA Monitoring Equipment Kit

Safety

Safety is extremely important and it is recommended that when visiting the survey site volunteers:

Carry a fully charged cell phone and be sure it has a signal at the survey site.

Monitor with a partner or let someone know where they are and when the volunteer intends to return.

Park in a safe location that does not block traffic.

Become familiar with the survey site by visiting during daylight hours.

Watch for poison ivy and other types of poisonous vegetation as well as ticks, hornets, and other types of wildlife.

Bring a first aid kit.

Wear long sleeves and pants to protect against insects.

It is also important to recognize that there may be instances when weather conditions are unsuitable for

data collection. Monitoring should only be conducted if the air temperature is warmer than 35F (2C), it is not raining too hard (heavy rain interferes with the ability to hear frog calls), and the wind is not stronger than 3 according to the Beaufort Wind Scale.

Required

□ FrogWatch USA Monitoring Protocol □ FrogWatch USA Datasheets □ Stopwatch or wristwatch with a second hand □ Clipboard or other firm, flat writing surface □ Pencil or indelible ink pen □ Thermometer □ Written permission for private property use from property owner □ First aid kit □ Flashlight □ Cell phone

Optional

□ Rain gear □ Tape recorder □ Insect repellant □ Amphibian field guide

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Monitoring Protocol

Prior to Arrival:

Practice listening to the calls of frogs and toads you may hear during that time of year.

Prepare and pack your FrogWatch USA monitoring equipment kit.

Plan to initiate all monitoring sessions 30 minutes (or later) after sunset

Upon Arrival:

Respect the area in which you are in and minimize any disturbance.

Stay five feet (1.5 meters) from the edge of the main water body when monitoring your site.

Note any changes to your site (i.e., localized flooding, mowing, or other habitat alteration) and enter this information in the Notes section of the Datasheet.

Silence all electronic equipment (cell phone, stopwatch, wristwatch, etc.)

Enter the date and all required volunteer and site information on the FrogWatch USA Datasheet.

Measure and record all weather information required on the FrogWatch USA Datasheet.

Monitoring:

Sit or stand quietly for at least 2 minutes before initiating the monitoring session so the frogs and toads acclimate to your presence. Use your stopwatch or wrist watch to accurately time this duration.

Monitoring sessions are exactly 3 minutes in duration. Use your stopwatch or wrist watch to accurately time this duration.

Cup your hands around your ears and listen for precisely 3 minutes.

Remain quiet and still during the entire 3 minute monitoring session.

Listen to, identify, and remember all breeding calls occurring in the session.

If the monitoring session is interrupted by noise (airplane, dog running by, etc.) it must be restarted (including the 2 minute acclimation period).

Data Recording:

Immediately following the termination of the 3-minute monitoring session, enter the start and stop times of the monitoring session.

List all species heard during the monitoring session.

Rate the call intensity for each of these species.

If no calls were heard during the monitoring session, enter “No Calls Heard” in the Species field of the Datasheet.

Data Submission: FrogWatch USA Datasheets must be completed in their entirety and should be submitted electronically as soon as possible after each monitoring session to: frogwatch@aza.org. If email is not available, datasheets may be sent via U.S. mail to:

FrogWatch USA Coordinator Association of Zoos and Aquariums 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710 Silver Spring, MD 20910

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Weather Data Quick Reference

Ambient Air Temperature

The ambient air temperature can be measured with a thermometer to provide information about the temperature of the surrounding air at that moment but it does not take into account amount of humidity that is in the air. The ambient air temperature should be documented immediately before the initiation of the monitoring session. To accurately measure the ambient air temperature:

Let the thermometer adjust to the ambient air temperature for 3 minutes.

Avoid handling the glass of the thermometer when taking readings as the heat from hands may cause temperature to rise.

The thermometer should be held vertically and the volunteer’s eyes should be level with the top of the liquid in the glass tube when reading the temperature.

Most thermometers have two temperature scales: Fahrenheit and Celsius. Both scales are divided in two-degree increments.

Read the temperature and enter it in the appropriate space on the Datasheet, being sure to delineate if the reading is in Fahrenheit or Celsius

Wind Speed

Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (1774– 857) of the British Navy introduced the 0 to 5 Beaufort Wind Scale in 1806 to describe wind speeds for ships but the scale was later adapted to describe wind speeds for land, as well. The Beaufort Scale is used to determine if wind noise might interfere with hearing frog and toad breeding calls. Use the Beaufort Wind Scale below to determine the wind speed immediately before the initiation of the monitoring session. It is too windy to monitor if the wind is rated 4 or 5.

Beaufort Wind Scale

0 Calm: Smoke rises vertically

1 Light Air: Rising smoke drifts, weather vane inactive

2 Light Breeze: Leaves rustle, can feel wind on face

3 Gentle Breeze: Leaves/twigs in constant motion, small flags extend

Too windy for Monitoring:

4 Moderate Breeze: Moves small branches, raises dust and loose paper

5 Fresh Breeze: Small trees begin to sway

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Survey Site Registration

Volunteer Information:

Observer Name: Address:

Chapter/Organization: City, State, Postal Code:

Email Address: Phone Number:

Survey Site Information:

Site Name: Site City, County, State: Characterize Your Site (select one):

Suburban Urban Rural Other (describe):

Site Habitat (check one) Water Presence (check one)

Swamp or Woodland Swamp Permanent

Freshwater Marsh Temporary Some Years

Bog or Fen Temporary Every Year

Vernal Pool Not Known

Wet Meadow

Pond Water Source (check one)

Prairie Pothole Pond

Ditch Lake

Other: Stream or River

Precipitation or Runoff

Wetland Origin (check one) Groundwater

Natural Not Known

Formed by a Beaver Dam

Human-made

Artificially Altered

Not Known Describe Additional Survey Site Characteristics: Latitude/Longitude: Latitude: Longitude:

Enter in Decimal Degrees with four (4) decimal places. All longitudes in the United States must include a negative (-) or Westing (W) symbol. If you do not have a GPS unit, use www.terraserver.com or another online mapping tool.

Directions to site:

Submit your Site Registration form electronically to: frogwatch@aza.org

Or via U.S. Postal mail: FrogWatch USA Coordinator * Association of Zoos and Aquariums 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710 * Silver Spring, MD 20910

FrogWatch USA is a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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Observation Datasheet

Volunteer and Site Information

Observer Name:

Site Name:

State:

Chapter:

(If applicable)

Visit Information

Date:

Start Time:

End Time:

Begin monitoring at least 30 minutes after sunset. End time should be exactly three minutes after start time!

Weather Conditions (Write in temperature during observation and make one selection per weather category)

Air Temperature (Indicate °C or °F):

Wind Speed using Beaufort Wind Scale:

0 1 2 3

4 5

Precipitation during visit:

None Fog/Mist Light Rain/Drizzle Medium Rain

Hard Rain Hail Snow

Precipitation in the past 48 hours:

No Precipitation Some Precipitation Much Precipitation

The temperature during the past 48 hours has primarily been:

Above Freezing Below Freezing

Frog & Toad Observations

Species Name Calling Intensity

_________________________ 0 1 2 3

_________________________ 0 1 2 3

_________________________ 0 1 2 3

_________________________ 0 1 2 3

_________________________ 0 1 2 3

_________________________ 0 1 2 3

_________________________ 0 1 2 3

_________________________

0 1 2 3

Beaufort Wind Scale

0 Calm: smoke rises vertically.

1 Light Air: rising smoke drifts; weather

vane inactive.

2 Light Breeze: leaves rustle; can feel

wind on face.

3 Gentle Breeze: leaves and twigs in

constant motion; small flags extend.

Too windy for monitoring: 4 Moderate Breeze: moves small

branches; raises dust and loose paper.

5 Fresh Breeze: small trees in leaf

begin to sway.

Calling Intensity Index

0 No frogs or toads heard

calling.

1 Individuals could be

counted; there was space between calls.

2 Calls of individuals could

be distinguished, some overlapping of calls.

3 Full chorus, calls were

constant, continuous and overlapping.

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Additional Notes:

Submit your Datasheet electronically to: frogwatch@aza.org

Or via U.S. Postal mail: FrogWatch USA Coordinator * Association of Zoos and Aquariums 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710 * Silver Spring, MD 20910

FrogWatch USA is a program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

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Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and providing opportunities for families to develop personal connections with animals. AZA is committed to building North America's largest wildlife conservation movement. While other organizations have larger mailing lists or budgets, AZA’s assets – 221 accredited institutions, nearly 6,000 individual professional members, 180 million visitors and more than 700,000 live animals – provide a uniquely important link to inspire and generate support for wildlife and habitat conservation. AZA’s professional staff maintains a structure of committees and animal management programs involving more than 1,000 committed zoological professionals. These programs include animal welfare, conservation breeding, field conservation, professional training, and animal health. AZA also maintains its Conservation Endowment Fund, which supports the conservation education and scientific research efforts of its individual members through grants. Science Education: In the last 10 years, AZA has worked with accredited zoos and aquariums to formally train more that 400,000 teachers, supporting science curricula with effective teaching materials and hands-on opportunities. More than 50,000,000 children visit these institutions each year, including more than 15,000,000 students who visit on school field trips. Endangered Species: AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are leaders in the protection of endangered and threatened species. Twenty years ago, AZA established the Species Survival Plan® (SSP) program—a long-term plan involving conservation breeding, habitat preservation, public education, field conservation, and supportive research to ensure survival for many of the planet’s threatened and endangered species. Currently, AZA members are involved in 114 SSPs working to save 182 species. Dozens of species, from the American Bison to the Arabian Oryx to the Puerto Rican Crested Toad, would be extinct today if not for the efforts of AZA and its members. Amphibians: In 2008, in response the global amphibian conservation crisis, AZA spearheaded a “Year of the Frog” conservation and education initiative in the United States, in conjunction with other international zoological associations. AZA and accredited zoos and aquariums remain committed to amphibian conservation, both in our backyards and around the world. The FrogWatch USA program is a flagship for AZA’s engagement of citizen scientists in caring for species and habitats at risk. Accreditation: Founded in 1924, AZA is the only independent accrediting organization for zoos and aquariums with comprehensive, mandatory standards in the United States. AZA admits only those institutions meeting rigorous requirements for animal care, education, wildlife conservation and science.