This one is a rerun; sorry. The "spring peeper" thread got me looking forward to spring in this country (which is still about 4 months away), and got me dreaming of northern tailed frogs. They are an interesting critter. They are unlike any other frogs. Only live in high elevation, fast-flowing streams. Stay as polywogs for three years (instead of a couple weeks like other frogs). No known calls (presumably because potential mates can't hear them over sounds of rushing whitewater streams. Internal fertilization, as males don't resorb their entire tails when they metamorph to adults, and the tail changes form into a "penis" for fertilizing the females. Internal fertilization because streams are too turbulent for males to fertilize eggs like other frogs do.


The larvae have a sucker-like mouth to attach to rocks and several tooth rows. This "polywog" is a three-year-old, and has sprouted hind legs, but hasn't resorbed its tail.


This, too, is a third-year tailed frog that has metamorphed hind and front legs, but tail is not yet absorbed.


This is a ventral view of an adult, fully-morphed male that shows the penis which has morphed from the tail.



I'll be the first to admit, the adults are kinda homely little frogs.


Jack
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Good info. Thnx for posting. Elevation changes alot of things

Cute little Toady-frog....as the southern folk call them.
I miss hearing the green spring peepers , they were all over down south.

Here is one , from this area, but don't know the type formally. They are tiny , this one easily sat on the end of my finger. They roam the land and like moist areas under clumps of conifers. They have a fairly loud call , but quickly shut down if you try to sneak up on them. The swamp across the road just rings with frogs singing every spring. I think those are a different type, as they like the water and the call is different.

Thanks for sharing, Jack.

Pretty cool info. gulo! First through th 3rd week of April up here for peepers to sound off, then it's game on for smelt dipping to begin!


PS Jack, those books of yours I piurchased from you were great reads, they are now added to my outdoor library for my grandchildren. Outstanding job!

Sharon -

Used to be called Pacific Treefrog, Hyla regilla. Now that little guy is called Northern Pacific Treefrog, Pseudacris regilla.
Thanks for posting. Cool little frogs.

I was surprised when pulling up a minnow trap in winter and having caught some tadpoles of the Mink Frog Lithobates septentrionatis now they are a museum specimen

Thanks for the interesting threads

Many thanks for the ID, Jack, I finally know what I have .

Northern Pacific Tree Frog. I always have a few in the moist conifers, like cedar, hemlock, red and white fir . They love to sing.

Now I will think of your helpful ID whenever I see them.

very cool

The only frogs I am up to date on are the Bull Frogs when I am Gigging them.

Jack,

Oddly, that first picture reminds me of a girl I dated in high school.....!

Pete