Green Frog (Rana clamitans)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Nonforested Landscapes

1st alternative:
      (Lake or Pond or River)

2nd alternative:
      (Lake or Pond or River)
   adjacent to:
      Any Emergent Wetland

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Green frogs are found in and around most inland waters, including ponds, lakes, marshes, wooded swamps, and the banks of streams and rivers. Adults tend to stay near the water, but juveniles disperse widely through woods and meadows during rainy weather.

Males defend prime breeding sites in shallow, weedy, permanent waters.

Green frogs mostly eat insects and other invertebrates, but large adults will eat smaller frogs, including young green frogs. These frogs overwinter underwater, either resting on the bottom or concealed in mud or under submerged objects.

Habitat: Riparian, inhabiting margins of shallow permanent or semipermanent fresh water, shores and banks of lakes and ponds, creeks, woodland streams, limestone quarry pools, springs, vernal pools, moist woodlands near water. Seldom found more than a few meters from the water. Young often found in semipermanent water. Hibernates underground or underwater from October until March, usually within its home range

Special Habitat Requirements: Riparian areas

Habitat: The green frog seldom ventures far from water and can typically be found on the shores and banks of ponds, lakes, and streams. It also inhabits springs, vernal pools, and moist woodlands. Green frogs need water to avoid desiccation; they also use it as a refuge from predators. Smaller frogs hide and feed in shallow water along the margins of ponds and streams and are active primarily during the day, whereas larger frogs hide in deeper water during the day and feed on the banks of ponds and streams during the evening. Rarely, green frogs will search for food in the deep aquatic zone of a pond or stream. Immediately before, during and after heavy rainfall, green frogs may wander up to 20 m from water. Both male and female defend territories in which they feed, rest, and hibernate. Green frogs hibernate either underwater or underground from October to March. Tadpoles overwinter under silt and dead vegetation.

Green frogs breed in ponds, lakes, or pools in streams from May to August.

Green frogs deposit their eggs in shallow water of ponds and lakes. Clusters are laid in floating masses of jelly and are attached to emergent and floating vegetation.