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Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica)
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The Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica, is a medium sized frog ( 1.5 to 3 inches ), and is distinguished by its dark mask that extends through the eye. Body coloration
ranges from pink to tan to bronze or medium brown. The Wood Frog is greatly dependent on forested habitat. It predominantly occurs in eastern Kentucky with scattered records
known westward to Christian and |
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Caldwell Counties. These frogs overwinter terrestrially buried in leaf litter in wooded areas and can tolerate extremely cold temperatures. Wood Frogs can actually freeze solid
during cold snaps and subsequently thaw out and become active. They breed as early as January before ice has completely melted off ponds and are usually finished before mid-April. Breeding takes
place in a variety of habitats including road ruts, ditches, seasonal ponds, woodland ponds and surface mine impoundments. Wood Frogs often call in the daylight hours on warm sunny afternoons
when the ice is melted from woodland ponds. From a distance their calls may sound like squabbling ducks.
Special thanks to WKU
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