Frogs of Spring

The snow and ice of winter has disappeared, and temperatures are starting to warm.  Amphibian monitoring is one of the earliest conservation activities of spring.  Thirteen species of frogs and toads are found in the Chicago Wilderness region (southeastern Wisconsin, northeastern Illinois east of the Fox River, Northern Indiana, and southwestern Michigan).

Frogs and toads form a critical link in the food chains for both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.  They are prey for snakes, birds, mammals, and fish.  In addition, they are predators of invertebrates, insects, eggs, and small birds. 

The Calling Frog Survey, started in 1960, is a citizen science opportunity for volunteers to help identify the species of frogs in an area and gather information about them.  Results from several years of collected data identifies increases and decreases in population sizes and movement of large groups. 

All frogs and toads breed by laying eggs in an aquatic habitat.  Only males call, to attract a mate.  Various species start breeding at different times, the earliest are starting now and calling will continue  until the latest species ends its breeding season in mid-summer.  The frogs and toads of the Chicago Wilderness region are pictured below, along with links to listen to each species’ breeding call.

Listen for these wonderful songs when near any wetland habitat this spring.  If you would like to become a monitor, or want more information about monitoring or frogs in general, take a look at the frog calling survey’s website at Frog Calling Survey, and consider joining a monitoring group near you.