World`s smallest Frog.

[zack]

Found this little guy at the Jackman Wetlands it was around 1 inch long.238-crop by Henry Wall, on Flickr

[Randy]

I'm no frog expert but looks like a Pacific chorus frog?

[Deleted]

Yep, that's what it looks like. That's our smallest native frog around here, but there are much smaller frogs found in other parts of the world. I've seen photos of one that's smaller than a dime.

[Randy]

Oct 14, 2017 17:04:10 GMT -8 @smolson said:

Yep, that's what it looks like. That's our smallest native frog around here, but there are much smaller frogs found in other parts of the world. I've seen photos of one that's smaller than a dime.

Thanks for confirming Stan. What other kinds of frogs would we expect in our area aside from Pacific chorus frogs and the dreaded bullfrog?

[Deleted]

Besides the American Bullfrog, the other introduced frog species is Green Frog, also from eastern North America. They look a lot like Bullfrogs but differ in that the ridge (the "dorso-lateral fold") that starts behind the eye extends more or less straight back along the edge of the frog's back almost to the hips. On the Bullfrog the ridge curves sharply down behind the tympanum (ear disk) but doesn't extend along the back. Green frogs don't get as big as bullfrogs (a large bullfrog female can reach 8" or 20 cm in total length, while a large Green frog female can be 4" or 10 cm in length) and in that sense they aren't as destructive, but like bullfrogs they eat anything they can get in their mouth, so they're still not good to have around. Their behaviour is similar to bullfrogs though they may be found away from the water more frequently. You may hear them vocalizing and can distinguish them - they sound like a chopped off version of a bullfrog groan but with a distinct "twanging" noise like a banjo superimposed.

Besides the Pacific Chorus Frog (formerly known as the Pacific Tree Frog, but it's more complicated than that) the other native frog you may find here is the Red-legged Frog (Northern Red-legged Frog is the subspecies). It is blue listed provincially (vulnerable) but seems to be around in good numbers in places, judging by the results of egg mass surveys in the area. It's smaller, though it can reach the size of a Green frog, and it's not likely to be seen often. They leave the ponds in early summer as soon as they have metamorphosed to adults and head into moist forest environments, returning in the early spring to breed in the ponds. This strategy makes them less vulnerable to predation by bullfrogs. Male vocalization is done under water, so they aren't likely to be heard.

Our third native species is the Oregon Spotted Frog which is really rare - the rarest amphibian in BC. There are only about 3 viable breeding populations, totalling only a few hundred adults, left in BC, all in the upper Fraser Valley where bullfrogs have not yet arrived in numbers. Unlike Red-legged Frogs, Spotted Frogs remain in the wetlands year round and are thus much more vulnerable to predation by Bullfrogs. Its close relative the Columbia Spotted Frog is common east of the Coast and Cascade ranges.

Stan

[zack]

Thanks Stan for the info .

[Randy]

Oct 16, 2017 14:30:15 GMT -8 @smolson said:

Besides the American Bullfrog, the other introduced frog species is Green Frog, also from eastern North America. They look a lot like Bullfrogs but differ in that the ridge (the "dorso-lateral fold") that starts behind the eye extends more or less straight back along the edge of the frog's back almost to the hips. On the Bullfrog the ridge curves sharply down behind the tympanum (ear disk) but doesn't extend along the back. Green frogs don't get as big as bullfrogs (a large bullfrog female can reach 8" or 20 cm in total length, while a large Green frog female can be 4" or 10 cm in length) and in that sense they aren't as destructive, but like bullfrogs they eat anything they can get in their mouth, so they're still not good to have around. Their behaviour is similar to bullfrogs though they may be found away from the water more frequently. You may hear them vocalizing and can distinguish them - they sound like a chopped off version of a bullfrog groan but with a distinct "twanging" noise like a banjo superimposed.

Besides the Pacific Chorus Frog (formerly known as the Pacific Tree Frog, but it's more complicated than that) the other native frog you may find here is the Red-legged Frog (Northern Red-legged Frog is the subspecies). It is blue listed provincially (vulnerable) but seems to be around in good numbers in places, judging by the results of egg mass surveys in the area. It's smaller, though it can reach the size of a Green frog, and it's not likely to be seen often. They leave the ponds in early summer as soon as they have metamorphosed to adults and head into moist forest environments, returning in the early spring to breed in the ponds. This strategy makes them less vulnerable to predation by bullfrogs. Male vocalization is done under water, so they aren't likely to be heard.

Our third native species is the Oregon Spotted Frog which is really rare - the rarest amphibian in BC. There are only about 3 viable breeding populations, totalling only a few hundred adults, left in BC, all in the upper Fraser Valley where bullfrogs have not yet arrived in numbers. Unlike Red-legged Frogs, Spotted Frogs remain in the wetlands year round and are thus much more vulnerable to predation by Bullfrogs. Its close relative the Columbia Spotted Frog is common east of the Coast and Cascade ranges.

Stan

Thanks Stan, this is fantastic information! I had thought I had heard and seen some bullfrogs at my place this summer (and was very disappointed about this), but now I'm wondering if they were green frogs based on the sound. Looks like I'll probably have to wait until next summer!

Regarding the spotted frogs, you say "upper Fraser Valley". Where does that refer to? Hope and east?

In a related question, I remember hearing a few years ago about an annual toad migration. I believe these are western toads. Are there any other species of toads around?

I continue to be impressed by your knowledge of all creatures, feathered or not!

[Deleted]

Well, Randy, I find it all interesting and everything is interconnected and interdependent, so curiosity keeps me learning.

The three Oregon Spotted Frog populations of significance are all between Hope and Harrison Bay. A few very small populations have recently been detected farther west, or on the south side of the Fraser, but it's uncertain if any of them are viable in the long run.

Yes, our only local toad is the Western Toad. It's listed federally as of special concern. The interesting thing about them is they breed in a limited number of ponds, returning to the same ponds year after year, and the masses of tiny toadlets leave the pond upon metamorphosing in early summer and head to the forests in waves (some years in huge numbers). This often includes crossing roads, which means high mortality due to vehicles. Volunteers used to be called on to help as many of them as possible cross the roads safely. At Ryder Lake, a tunnel under the road has been installed and volunteers need only put up plastic fences to direct the toadlets into the tunnels. It seems to be working. At least more successfully than the old method of using ice cream buckets to help thousands of toadlets cross the roads