The Gopher Frog 



shoulder). These can be extended between the arm and the 

 glandular fold above. When the pouch is not inflated, the 

 region back of the angle of the jaw and between the arm 

 and glandular fold (which extends fully one-half inch behind 

 the jaw angle) is occupied by broad folds of thin dark-coloured 

 skin. 



The general colour of these frogs varies considerably. It 

 may be grey or brown, somewhat yellow or purple in tone. The 

 spots may vary in size and in number. In any individual frog, 

 the colour changes are striking and rapid. The frog may change 

 from nearly black to white, through shades of brown or purplish 

 grey. The spots keep their intensity when the frog is light in 

 colour. (Colour Plate XIV.) In the light-coloured frog, yellow 

 colour is very prominent. It is not only on the elongated warts 

 and lateral folds, but extends from the lateral folds over the eyes 

 along the canthus rostralis to the nostrils. The secretion of the 

 skin given off when the frog is annoyed is offensive in odour. 



This frog is so wary and has such strong habits of hiding, 

 that but few specimens have come to light. The wariness of 

 this species has resulted in a habit of spasmodic instead of con- 

 tinuous activity. Its method, like that of the cricket grass- 

 hopper, is ludicrous to observe. It remains absolutely quiet for 

 minutes at a time, relying on its protective colouration until the 

 danger is well-nigh upon it. When the movement comes, it is 

 with startling suddenness and despatch, leaving the frog statuesque 

 again and observant, but in a new place. 



Rana cesopus is comfortable in water, though not conspicu- 

 ously a water-frog. It sits with head and shoulders protruding 

 from water-weeds, invisible because of the colour and spotting 

 of its dress. When the air becomes cooler than the water, it 

 withdraws under the surface, and rests for hours, even days, at 

 a time, with motionless flattened body, closed eyes, and arms 

 and legs in hibernating position. 



Outside of the breeding season, it lives solitary in gopher- 

 holes, hence its name. These so-called gopher-holes are the 

 burrows of a Florida highland turtle. The burrow — about eight 

 inches high, and fourteen wide, and sometimes as long as thirty 

 feet — extends obliquely and irregularly through the sandy soil, 

 starting under a clump of palmetto, or under a log, stump, or fence. 

 The frog sits at the mouth of the burrow, watching for an unsus- 



195 



