Thursday, May 19, 2011

Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris)

The Pickerel Frog is distinguished from the Leopard Frog by the two rows of rectangular spots between the dorsolateral ridges, whereas the Leopard Frog has a more random arrangement of smaller circular spots.

The background color of this frog is tan or light brown rather than green (although right now emerging Leopard Frogs don't look their best, at this season they are a dark brownish green – see image below) with yellow on the inner surfaces of the legs. This individual is about 70 mm long.

Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens), Early Spring