Rana aesopus 337 



"Gopher Frog (Rana aesopus). One male specimen was taken from burrow 

 No. 7 in the Cedar Creek locaHty on February 19, 1922. A Gopher Tortoise 

 (7 X 5 1/4 inches) was also taken from this burrow at the same time' Two 

 specimens were taken from burrow No. 10 in the Dinsmore locality on March 

 26, 1922. They were observed on two days just before sunset, resting in the 

 entrance about two feet down the burrow and they were not seen at other 

 times during the day. A Gopher Tortoise (11x8 inches) was taken from this 

 burrow at the same time. One specimen was observed about sunset at the 

 entrance of a burrow in the Brentwood locality on March 19, 1922. Two 

 specimens were taken from burrow No. 1 1 in the Dinsmore locality on April 

 12, 1922. They were observed several times resting in the burrow about two 

 feet down in the entrance just before sunset. A Gopher Tortoise (10x71/4 

 inches) was taken from this burrow, at the same time. In the Dinsmore 

 locality during the week of April 15, 1922, a pair of Gopher Frogs was ob- 

 served on several days about sunset resting just inside of the entrance of a 

 burrow. In the Cedar Creek locality on June 25, 1922, one specimen was 

 seen at 1 130 p.m. resting in the grass about 15 feet outside of the entrance of a 

 burrow and when disturbed made three hops and entered. The frog rested 

 motionless for a short interval of time between the jumps but the actions were 

 quick. 



Gopher Frogs are not always found associated with Gopher Tortoises as 

 a Gopher Frog was taken in the Dinsmore locality on March 28, 1922 in about 

 6 inches of loose sand; another in about 8 inches of sand; and two specimens 

 were taken in a hole about two inches in diameter under a dead stump." 

 (Hallinan). 



FIRST APPEARANCE 



The earhest records we can find for the spring out coming are: March 18, 

 made by Prof. T. Van Hyning at Gainesville, Florida; and April 19 18 made by 

 N. R. Wood at Auburndale, Florida. Thomas Hallinan's records above are: 

 Feb. 19, Mar. 19, Mar. 26, Apr. 12, Apr. 15 and June 25, 1922. 



GENERAL HABITS 



This species is more common than usually held. In collections it is rare. 

 Most specimens have been taken at the critical period in the animal's life, its 

 breeding season when more frogs pay the toll than at any other time. In its 

 normal all-the-year-around habitat, the sand hills and turtle burrows they 

 are seldom seen unless one deliberately seeks them. They usually rest at the 

 mouth of the burrow, sometimes a foot or so down the decline or just within 

 the mouth. More rarely they may be one foot or more from the incline, or 

 be on little clear, smooth places 6 inches in diameter a short distance away from 

 a rat-like hole. One area we visited quite frequently. Usually from mid- 

 forenoon to mid-afternoon or later they were seldom out. For example, on 

 July 2, 1922, we visited this area at 3 :2o p.m. and found only one out but at 

 midnight we readily found eight. My journal reads: "Called again at 12 

 midnight. Francis's special friend not to be seen. Anna's friend was under 



