Southern Chorus Frog
Scientific name: Pseudacris nigrita
Appearance: A small, prominently marked treefrog, with three
dark dorsal stripes, the outer two of which are often broken into a
series of spots. A dark band on the side of the face and body from
the tip of the snout almost to the groin is almost always evident, as
is an unbroken white line along the upper lip. The
young of this frog are those most likely to be
encountered outside of the breeding season, and
these may only measure 1 cm. (½ in.) in length.
Full-grown adults measure up to 3.5 cm (1.25 in.) in
length.
Habits and Habitat: Favored habitats include pine
flatwoods, wet prairies, and forested wetlands in the
Coastal Plain. Adults can be found calling from emergent vegetation in small ponds and
pools used as breeding sites or sometimes on mats of floating vegetation.
Vocalization: The Southern Chorus Frog's call is a slow, rising trill reminiscent of the
sound made when a finger is run along the teeth of a comb. Males of
this species generally call during their breeding season in the winter months, but can
occasionally be heard calling during heavy rains at almost any time of year.
Reproduction/Egg Description: The Southern Chorus Frog breeds primarily in mid or
late winter. Very little is known about breeding activity and egg morphology of this frog.
Distribution and Abundance: The Southern Chorus Frog occupies most of the Coastal
Plain in the Deep South including the panhandle of Florida. The Florida Chorus Frog
(Pseudacris nigrita verrucosa) occupies the Florida peninsula.