Young toad calling....?

[Poly]

Well, for the Wood frog vocalization experiment that I'm working on, I had to write a research proposal to the Fish&Game office as part of my permit application. It was pretty detailed and went as far as what materials I had (am) using. We could go that detailed or we could go a bit less. Here is a basic outline of my research propsal:

I. Introduction (what is our purpose/hypothesis)
II. Procedure (how we plan to carry out the project/experiment)
A. Materials
B. Experimental Design
C. Other details
III. Conclusion (what we expected/our predictions)

We can change it to adjust it to our project. What do you guys think?

Very well organized Autumn! With someone like you on board, were bound to make this work! I'll messange you next time your online...

[frogluver]

Very well organized Autumn! With someone like you on board, were bound to make this work! I'll messange you next time your online...

Haha, thanks!! Ok......

[LazyEyedFroggie]

hey, this'll also help with my organizational skills!!! It's a win-win

[Poly]

It's a win-win

Ya got that right!

[frogluver]

Royce and I talked a little bit about our observations yesterday, but haven’t had a chance to converse since then. And not to mention, it seems as none of us have been on at the same time to discuss anything further…haha :P!!

Here is an overview of our observations (or at least the ones that I’m am aware about lol):

• Royce said that he picked up his male American toad yesterday and he (the toad) started to make a bunch of clicking noises. His American toad has also made clicking noises in the past.
• Robin experienced her 3-month old toad make clicking noises that are in rapid succession or varying time intervals apart. Only one of the toads does this.
• I recently picked up a juvenile Wood frog (not such of its age, though it looked to be at least 8 months old) and upon picking it up, it gave out a series of squeaks (as opposed to clicking sounds). I have also heard something similar to the sort of clicking a few months ago, coming from my juvenile terrarium, but was unsure if it was one of my juveniles.

Another observation, which runs along the same lines, occurred with another juvenile Wood frog I had about 3 years ago. When I first acquired the frog, and when he matured, he would call almost every day in response to random noises, i.e. the T.V., the vacuum cleaner, laughter, the heater turning on, etc… There was no specific pattern to his calling and this aroused my curiosity as to whether certain species of frogs will “practice” there call prior to the mating season (unless he was broken or highly confused haha). This wouldn’t be too bizarre of a hypothesis, as some species of birds are known to practice their mating calls.

Some possible hypotheses for our project (please modify if needed):
1). Can the clicking sounds observed by some juvenile frogs/toads be an identifying factor in determining the sex of the frog?
2). Do some species of frogs (or captive juveniles who have never been exposed to a breeding chorus) “practice” their mating call in general, or prior to a breeding season?
3). Why do certain species of juvenile frogs/toads make click or squeak like noises?

To start out our thread, that we plan to present to others here, we should begin with a survey and ask if others have observed similar behaviors with their juvenile frogs and toads. This might help us further expand on our ideas and possible procedures.

I can only speak for myself and I’m sure you two have had other observations that relate to this. Please do share if you have some . What are your thoughts?

-Autumn

[LazyEyedFroggie]

Sounds perfect so far I've noted that my one toad generally makes the clicking noises when he's stalking prey, or when the other toadlet is within a couple of inches. Does this little bit of info contribute?

[frogluver]

Thanks . Yes, it definitely contributes!! It makes me wonder if that toadlet is showing signs of kin recognition…..or if the other non-clicking toad is a female and he knows that? That's very interesting about the stalking of prey.