Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)
Description: A fairly small frog, Pickerel frogs closely resemble Leopard frogs. They are easily identified by the yellow on their feet and under their back legs. The patterning on the back of these frogs has square shaped markings instead of the irregular oval markings of the Leopard frog (See picture below and to the right). Identifying the two is easy with practice. Pickerel Frogs are not variable in color as is the case in Leopard frogs.
Eggs: eggs are laid in masses in swamps and ponds.
Diet: Pickerel frogs eat insects and spiders that they capture via ambush or active chase.
Habitat: Wet meadows, lawns and woodland edges. They are usually only seen near water in the breeding season. They are less abundant than the larger leopard frog but occupy similar habitats.
Defenses: Pickerel frogs have a unique defense that no other frogs in our area bear. They have poisonous skin secretions that make them inedible to most predators. These secretions can be irritating to humans in places such as the mouth or eyes but are not particularly dangerous. This toxicity is broadcast through the yellow hind leg coloration.
Eggs: eggs are laid in masses in swamps and ponds.
Diet: Pickerel frogs eat insects and spiders that they capture via ambush or active chase.
Habitat: Wet meadows, lawns and woodland edges. They are usually only seen near water in the breeding season. They are less abundant than the larger leopard frog but occupy similar habitats.
Defenses: Pickerel frogs have a unique defense that no other frogs in our area bear. They have poisonous skin secretions that make them inedible to most predators. These secretions can be irritating to humans in places such as the mouth or eyes but are not particularly dangerous. This toxicity is broadcast through the yellow hind leg coloration.