Windwolf
Crex Meadows ... Wildlife on the Meadows ... Chorus Frog
Chorus Frog
Pseudacris maculata
Boreal Chorus Frog
Pseudacris triseriata
Western or Striped Chorus frog
Both the Western and Boreal Chorus frog can be found in northwestern Wisconsin as their ranges overlap. The Wisconsin DNR website describes the western chorus frog as pale green or tan with three long, broken, brown stripes running lengthwise along the body. Their website also describes the Boreal chorus frog is a light gray to cream color with thick, dark green dorsal stripes. The website has one picture of an apparent Western Chorus frog and combines both species on the same page.
On the Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center website, they host many pictures of both types of chorus frogs and their striping description indicates this frog may be the Boreal Chorus frog. Until reading the description of leg length as being a specie seperation identification possibility. They describe the Boreal Chorus frog as having a noticibly shorter leg length below the knee. Their Chorus frog identification pictures are all from North Dakota specimens and show a wide range of color patterns.
After reading over many different pages of Chorus frog information, I cannot distinguish which species this one falls under. What I am sure of, this is one of the Chorus frogs. Many of these pages emphasise that it can be difficult to make a specie determination in the field for the average person. It may have been easier if I would have had more than this one photograph opportunity for additional comparision shots.
This frog was not a willing subject and moved around alot as I tried to get better shots and position myself for better light. This shot turned out to be the best of all that I took.
The frog tried to hide from me under leaves and behind twigs. Occasionally, I had trouble finding it again after a jump. I finally left the frog on its own when it burrowed down under the leaves and into a small tunnel.
When I first spotted it, I thought it was a young tree frog and the colors were impacted by this. The Chorus frog is rather small, half the size of a leopard frog and more tree frog sized.
This Chorus frog was located on the walking path behind the rest area on the north end of Crex Meadows. I had gone a bit more than half way along the path when I spotted this character.
All pictures taken September 16, 2008.
NPWRC website page on chorus frogs
