Another help with ID requested.

[hopes2]

Greetings,

Had this little guy move into my recently completed water feature.
I cannot figure out what type he is, thus my request.
Thanks in advance!

Dan.

[John]

Not sure but it looks like a dark marked Pickerel Frog but something's off with the back markings.

[JimO]

How big is it and in what kind of habitat did you find it?

[LilyPad]

I would have guess Pickerel, we have them all over by our pond. Some of them seem to be really dark like that guy too.

[JimO]

I know this sounds crazy, but it could be a very dark phase of the northern green frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota). I'm basing this on the size and position of the tympanum and the fact that the ridge stops before reaching much past the "knees" when at rest.

[BG]

Its a young bullfrog

[hopes2]

How big is it and in what kind of habitat did you find it?

It's about three plus inches long, another has also moved in that is about an inch shorter.

The habitat is a pondless waterfall that has been converted into a babbling brook.
They both spend the day next to the spillway under a large flat rock that covers the spillway.
Early evening they sit in the water and then take off for the bushes around dusk.
There is a small pond about a tenth of a mile away, no other water around that I know of.
There is a small "woods" area about seventy feet from the brook.


Thanks all!

Dan.

[JimO]

It could be, but bullfrogs don't have the ridge along the back.

Its a young bullfrog

[Baelari]

Dorsolateral ridge indicates green frog over bullfrog. I would guess that over pickerel frog, since there's no squares on her back... and female based on the tympanum?

[John]

Dang I didn't think clamitans was in Wisconsin. You're right, it's definitely Rana clamitans.

[hopes2]

OK, so green frogs they are...Thanks!
We are thrilled to have them move in.
Next question is how can I make them happy over the winter?
I can catch and take them to a pond or wherever.

Thanks again,

Dan.

[John]

I wouldn't worry about them if I were you. They'll take care of themselves.

[hopes2]

Thanks for the ID and advice.
I will leave them alone and hope they return next year.

Dan.