Navigation / homing behavior/ individual identification

[Harry]

I am wondering what is known about the navigational ability and homing behavior of the H. Versicolor and other frogs.

During the summer, an H. Versicolor lived on my second floor deck. At night he would come out and catch insects near the light.

Several weeks ago I carried him down to ground level and about an 1/8 mile away. At the base of a tree near to a pond I created a good sized pile of leaf litter and released him into it.

In the middle of this afternoon, I was surprised to see an H. Versicolor climb onto my deck. It is similar in size and appearance to the frog I released. He climbed onto my screen for awhile, then went to my barbeque, and climbed into the spot where the frog I had removed had been spending days in the warmth under the black tarp.

This raises a few questions for me including:

1. Though they change color, can I identify an individual frog by it's markings?

2. What is known of their ability to navigate?

3. Are they known to have a "homing" behavior?

He is now in a box in my apartment. I will separately post some questions about possibly taking him in.

Thanks,
Harry

[John]

I am wondering what is known about the navigational ability and homing behavior of the H. Versicolor and other frogs.

They can definitely follow changes in odor - this has been proven scientifically. I believe they can recognize landmarks as well.

1. Though they change color, can I identify an individual frog by it's markings?

You should be able to do so, just be aware that they can turn the markings off completely if they so choose.

2. What is known of their ability to navigate?

Pretty good. They need to be able to find breeding ponds in the spring, and identify suitable habitat in which to live.

3. Are they known to have a "homing" behavior?

See earlier.