Wood Frogs: Wood frogs is one such species of frogs in the world which has amazed and surprised biologists and scientists a lot as well as made them very happy because these small frogs have been ahead in developing the incredible ability to tolerate cold. When it comes to their hunting habits, they have interesting ways of hunting which makes their species different from all the frogs.
The wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus or Rana sylvatica) is a unique species of frog that is widespread in North America, from the boreal forests of the north to the southern Appalachians. Wood frogs are able to tolerate cold easily, which gives them a unique identity. These frogs have very well-organized habitats and their adaptability to tolerate both heat and cold has attracted biologists.
The wood frog has been declared the state amphibian animal of New York. This type of frog has a wide distribution and spreads across many areas of North America.
See More: Green Tree Frog Habitat & Scientific Classification, Distribution
Scientific Classification of Wood Frogs
The scientific classification of the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) is as follows:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Amphibia
- Order: Anura
- Family: Ranidae
- Genus: Rana
- Species: Rana Sylvacta
Physical Characteristic
Wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) are fascinating amphibians found in boreal forest ecosystems. Their unique physical characteristics make them distinct from all other frogs, which are as follows:
- Size: An adult male frog is about 5 to 7 CM. in length, while adult females are slightly larger than males, being 2 to 3 times the size of the males.
- Weight: The average weight of these frogs is about 7.8 grams.
- Coloration: Their color can vary widely from brown, gray, reddish-brown to bright green. Their color varies depending on sex, environment and activity. They often have a dark mask-like line across their eyes. Dark stripes or spots are also visible on their legs, back and arms.
- Mating: The skin of these frogs is very smooth and moist which is able to absorb oxygen and nutrients easily. During the breeding season, their legs begin to change which are used to hold each other during mating.
Distribution
This wood frog range is widely spread from northern Georgia and northeastern Canada in the east to Alaska and southern British Columbia in the west. If we talk about the highest and densest number, then this species of frogs is spread in Alaska.
These frogs live in swamps and pits during summers and when winter comes, they move to higher areas so that they can adapt themselves to the weather. After that, when spring comes, they spend their lives living under leaves and pieces of wood. Wood frogs are mostly diurnal in nature and search for their food during the day. Sometimes these frogs come out of their dwellings at night to search for food, i.e. they come out of their dwellings both during the day and night.
Geographical Distribution
| CONTINENTS | North America |
| COUNTRIES | United State and Canada |
| BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REALMS | Nearctic |
| WWF BIOMES | Tundra |
Habitat
The wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) is a fascinating amphibian often found in boreal forest ecosystems.
- Wood frogs prefer to live in forests because they are able to adapt easily to the forests.
- They prefer to breed primarily in ephemeral, freshwater wetlands, especially woodland vernal ponds.
- These frogs like to spend most of their lives on the forest floor, whether it is night or day.
- These frogs are also known to migrate long distances, often migrating more during breeding season.
Life Style: Terrestrial
Diet & Nutrition
Wood frogs feed on a wide variety of small, forest-floor invertebrates. Omnivorous tadpoles feed on pebbles and plant debris and algae, and also attack and consume the eggs and larvae of amphibians.
Diet : Cornivore.
Life Span
If we talk about the life span of this species of attractive frog, then in the forests and their natural habitats, their life span is about 2-3 years, although sometimes they can live for more years than this.
Reference: Wikipedia
https://bytica.net/wood-frogs-classification/