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The
upper surface of an animalThe
underside or belly
Identification
The skin of the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is rough and warty, and the dorsal
surface varies in coloration from yellow through green to brown. The ventral
surface is generally a creamy color. Other distinguishing features include a
jagged stripe on the rear surface of its thigh, a dark triangle between the
eyes and a broad light stripe that runs down the middle of its back. The
call of the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is similar to the noise made when
two small stones are clicked together. The “clicking” generally
starts out slowly but then quickly increases. Click HERE
to hear the call of the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (created by The Student
Chapter of the Wildlife Society, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point).
Distribution and Status
The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog distribution extends from Ohio to northern
Tennessee, west through northern Arkansas to southern Texas and just into Mexico,
north to South Dakota and east through the southern half of Michigan (US
distribution map; Midwest
distribution map). Populations of Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs
are declining across much of the northern part of their range. In the Midwest,
the species is listed as state Endangered in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and it
is a species of Special Concern in Indiana and Michigan. While populations of
Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs are declining in northern Iowa, northern Illinois
and northern Indiana, the species is still considered common in the southern
half of Iowa, in the southern two-thirds of Illinois, and across southernmost
Indiana (IO - J. Christiansen, pers. comm.; IL - C. Phillips, pers. comm.; IN
- B. Kingsbury, pers. comm.). In Ohio, the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is
considered common across the western two-thirds of the state, but there is evidence
that populations are in decline in the northwest corner of the state (C. Caldwell,
pers. comm.). The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is found statewide in Missouri,
and no declines have been reported (J. Briggler, pers. comm.). Click HERE
for state by state status descriptions.
A plant community that is growing where ground water comes to the surface. The ground water source may be permanent, seasonal or only periodic. The substrate is peat (largely composed of partially decomposed vegetation) or mineral soils and may be alkaline, neutral or slightly acidic. Sedges are often a dominant plant in these areas. Growing out of and above standing water, for example, sedges.
Ecology
The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog prefers water sources with an open canopy that have plenty of low emergent vegetation. They may inhabit ponds, ditches, wet prairies, marshes and fens in close proximity to permanent or flowing water. While Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs are able to reproduce at 12 months of age, the average life span of an adult is only four months. In other words, on average, most Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs only live for 16 months.
The subdivision and isolation of once continuous tracts of habitat. A term used to refer to reptiles and amphibians collectively.
Threats
and Management Issues
While the exact reason for the decline of Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs is
unknown, it is believed that habitat
fragmentation and modification may be contributing factors. The reproductive
biology of the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog also makes them vulnerable to
local extirpation (local extinction). The species has an essentially annual
life cycle, which means that most individuals only have one season in which
to reproduce. Because of this, Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs are highly dependent
on the availability of suitable wetlands every year. If such wetlands are not
present, Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs will, in all likelyhood, die out. Random
events such as droughts, floods or wetland contamination may also place populations
in jeopardy. Conservation and management of existing populations, especially
in northern locales, should be a high priority for this species. The Ephemeral
and Permanent Wetlands sections of the Habitat
Management Guidelines for Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwest provides
some excellent information on "herp"
friendly management techniques that land managers and land owners can incorporate
to help benefit the Blanchard’s Cricket Frog.
Resources
General reference
guides and websites.
Reference guides and websites specific to Amphibians.
Links to more information outside the Herp Center
Blanchard's Cricket Frog, contains substantial research - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Northern Cricket Frogs, many pictures - US Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Blanchard's Cricket Frogs, includes audio call - Toronto Zoo
Bruce Kingsbury, Director
Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
Science Building
Indiana-Purdue University
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499