Name: Wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)
Wood frogs live on Ohio’s forest floors, blending in with striped legs and a brown mask.
In the springtime, they gather in large, temporary ponds called vernal pools to lay eggs. During this time, you can hear their raspy croaks calling “quack, quack, quack!”
Diet:
- Insects
- Spiders
- Worms
Size: 1.5 to 3 inches long
Lifespan: 3 to 5 years
Behavior: Nocturnal (They are active at night.)
Male wood frogs have two inflatable pockets in their throat, allowing them to call loudly from the water’s surface. Hear them in action!
Did you know? Wood frogs are world-famous for their hibernation skills. They can survive freezing almost entirely solid in cold winter temperatures! This allows them to live as far north as the arctic circle.
For more stories like this, check out Green Islands magazine, a bi-monthly publication from Summit Metro Parks. Summit County residents can sign up to receive the publication at home free of charge.