The Gopher Frog 



No glandular fold along the jaw. A distinct fold over the ear 

 from eye to shoulder. Under and posterior surfaces of femur 

 granulated. Head large; unusually thick through. Muzzle long; 

 space between eyes greater than width of eyelid; nostrils nearer 

 to the end of the muzzle than to the eye; eyes large; ear half to 

 two-thirds size of eye. (Figs. 223 to 225.) Foot with a tarsal 

 fold; webs short (three joints of fourth toe free); inner sole 

 tubercle small, no outer tubercle, tubercles under toe-joints 

 prominent. 



Range: Rana areolata probably occupies the Austroriparian 

 subregion. It is reported from Texas (Hitchcock, Indianola) 

 and Georgia (Riceborough). There is also a record of single 

 specimens having been collected in Indiana and Illinois. 



This frog has the hiding instinct thoroughly developed, as 

 has Rana asopus of Florida. Like the Florida frog also, it has 

 unusually large vocal pouches that can be extended from the 

 shoulder regions. It is a silent, solitary frog, except at the 

 breeding season. 



The species can always be distinguished from Rana cesopus, 

 by the lesser development of the jaws in width and massiveness, 

 and because the ratio of head and body measurements are as 

 one to three, instead of one to two and a half. 



THE GOPHER FROG 



Rana cesopus Cope 

 IDENTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS 



Colour: Brown, dark or light in shade. This colour may 

 be purplish, greyish, or yellowish in tone. The broad lateral 

 folds are bright orange-yellow. Warts on back and sides, often 

 bright yellow. Many closely set black spots on the head and 

 on the back between the lateral folds; many smaller black spots 

 on the sides. The spots on the back and on the sides infringe 

 upon the yellow lateral folds. Upper lip spotted, not light or 

 dark bordered. Ear dark, with irregular spot of light in centre. 

 Glandular fold along jaw to shoulder yellowish. Legs with 



