FRIENDS OF LATODAMI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

Wood Frog Photo taken on Latodami Night Hike

AMPHIBIANS OF NORTH PARK Text By Joe Stavish 1998

Amphibians generally have soft, smooth skin. It is moist and permeable to water. This ability of water to pass through the skin is vital so that the animal can breath. Pennsylvania’s amphibians do not have claws on their feet. Amphibians must lay their eggs in water or in a damp environment. In most cases the young emerge in the larval stage. Amphibians are cold-blooded, which means they are heated by the outside temperature, and must hibernate in the winter.

Bufo americanus

Eastern American Toad: Adult is 2 to 3 ½ inches. Color is usually brown or yellowish. Males have a black throat, females have a white throat. Primarily nocturnal and spends most of its day sheltered among piles of leaves or burrowed under loose rocks. This is the common “hoptoad,” so-called because of its “hopping” in moving from one area to another, rather than “leaping,” as frogs do. Characteristic of this and other toads, toxic secretions from the skin glands can irritate mucous membranes. People do not, however get skin warts from this or any other toad.

Hyla crucifer crucifer

Northern Spring Peeper: This is one of the state’s tree-climbing frogs. It is seldom seen except during the breeding season, which is March to June. Its call however, is easily recognized in small areas of water. It is a small frog reaching lengths from three-fourths to 1 ¼ inches. The most recognizable feature is the dark, x-shaped mark in the middle of the back. Its colors are tan to light brown. The feet have sticky pads on them. It lives in wooded areas near water. It feeds on flies, gnats, ants and small worms and grubs.

Rana castesbeiana

Bullfrog: This is a large aquatic frog. It is a solitary frog; a bullfrog jealously guards its territory. Adult sizes range from 3.5 to 6 inches. It is not the longest jumper, however it is a powerful swimmer and has strong hind legs. These legs are considered a delicacy by many people. The bullfrog’s body is broad and full. On the bullfrog the folds of skin, called the dorsolateral ridges, begin at the eye, run around the eardrum and down to the forelegs. The throat of the male is yellow and the female has a white throat. It lives in lakes and ponds where the female may lay up to 40,000 eggs in a large jelly-like mass. The diet of the bullfrog consists of crayfish, insects, other frogs, small fish, bats, birds, snakes, and even turtles.

Rana clamitans melanota

Northern Green Frog: This frog is more aquatic than many frogs. It is a medium-sized frog, slightly smaller, but similar in appearance to the bullfrog. Adult sizes range from 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. The green frog ranges in color from metallic green, greenish-brown, or brownish to tan. The head and upper lip are green. The belly is white and the throat of the male is yellow, the throat of the female is white. Folds of skin extend from above the eardrum along the back; in the bullfrog they do not. The green frog stays close to water. It feeds on insects, worms, small fish and crayfish.

Eurycea longicauda

Longtail Salamander: This lungless salamander attains adult sizes of four to just over six inches. Most of this length is its tail, because it accounts for more than half the total length. It is nocturnal, although it may be seen during the day after the rain. The salamander is yellow to bright red-orange and is marked with black spots. It is often seen under rocks near streams. Breeding occurs between October and March and the female may lay up to 100 eggs. Most of its hunting is done at night when it preys on invertebrates.

Desmognathus fuscus fuscus

Northern Dusky Salamander: The northern dusky is a member of the lungless salamanders. Its average adult size is 2 ½ - 4 ½ inches. This salamander is tan or dark brown on the back becoming a bit lighter on each side. It is seldom found far from the water and lives in woodland streams. Its breeding season is during June to September. A cluster of 1 to 3 dozen eggs is left by the female who guards them until they hatch in 6 to 13 weeks. The eggs are deposited near water, under rocks or rotting logs. Spending much of its time in water allows this salamander to feed on sow bugs and other aquatic organisms. Insect larvae and earthworms make up the balance of the diet.

CHECKLIST OF PENNSYLVANIA

Eastern Hellbender

Mudpuppy

Jefferson Salamander

Spotted Salamander

Marbled Salamander

Red-spotted Newt

Green Salamander ><

# Northern Dusky Salamander

Appalachian Seal Salamander

Mountain Dusky Salamander

# Northern Two-lined Salamander

# Longtail Salamander

Northern Spring Salamander

Four-toed Salamander

# Redback Salamander

# Slimy Salamander

Wehrle’s Salamander

Northern Red Salamander

Eastern Mud Salamander ><

Eastern Spadefoot Toad

# Eastern American Toad

# Fowler’s Toad

Northern Cricket Frog

# Northern Spring Peeper

Eastern Gray Treefrog

# Mountain Chorus Frog

Western Chorus Frog

# Bullfrog

# Northern Green Frog

# Pickerel Frog

# Northern Leopard Frog

# Wood Frog

New Jersey Chorus Frog *

Coastal plain Leopard Frog *

* Endangered Species

>< Threatened Species

# Found in North Park