The Eastern Wood Frog 



absorbed. (Fig. 239.) The ears are the last external sign 

 to tell that the change is quite completed. The variation 

 in the size, colour, and markings of the changing tadpoles is very 

 great. Most curious is the fact that some tadpoles show the 

 lateral folds and the colouring of the adult male or female long 

 before the change is completed, while others take on the frog form 

 entire before the lateral folds are well developed or before the 

 sexual colouring is evident. 



The activity and the spirit of adventure which characterize 

 the Green Frog are evident very early, in fact before the tail is 

 wholly absorbed. The young frog may sit contentedly in shallow 

 water (Fig. 234) or float at the surface with only eyes and nose 

 above (Fig. 233), but more likely he climbs out of the water on 

 anything available. (Fig. 232.) Unlike the youngj Bullfrog, 

 which constantly hides under water or moss, the young Green 

 Frog is curious and alert, and always in evidence. 



THE EASTERN WOOD FROG 

 Rana sylvatica Le Conte 



IDENTIFICATION CHARACTERISTICS 



Colour: Variable, changing from chocolate-brown to fawn- 

 colour, through varying shades of reddish, yellowish, or greyish 

 brown. Lower back and sides may or may not be irregularly 

 spotted, legs may or may not be barred, with dark colour. There 

 is a black or dark-brown patch of colour in the region of the ear. 

 The dark colour may extend in a band (widening behind) from the 

 snout to the shoulder. A light line extends along the jaw from 

 snout to shoulder. The lateral folds may be light yellowish 

 brown. Underparts yellowish or greenish white, sometimes 

 mottled with dusky anteriorly. (See Colour Plate XIV.) 



Measurements: Size relatively small, i. e. male 2 inches, 

 female 3 inches. Ear smaller than the eye. (Fig. 245.) Dis- 

 tance between nostrils equal to the width of the head between 

 the eyes. The legs are extremely long, measuring twice the 

 length of head and body together. (Fig. 242.) The length of 

 the leg to the heel considerably exceeds the total length of head 

 and body. The lower leg (tibia) is more than half the combined 

 lengths of head and body. (See Fig. 242.) 



205 



