Fun Boreal Chorus Frog Facts For Kids

The amphibian that invades our ponds and lakes during the monsoon is none other than a frog. Breeding in large numbers, from larva to tadpole to quadrupedal beings, frogs can be good natural biological agents for pest control in certain areas. This fact file is dedicated to an amphibian named boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata). The boreal chorus frog is a member of the family Hylidae and is scientifically known as Pseudacris maculata. This body of the boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) can be green, bronze, or brown with a green upper lip, there is a white belly with dark stripes or spots towards the back of the body. This frog species also has a dark stripe along the eye and a white stripe along the upper lip.

Here are some interesting facts about the boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) for your perusal. Afterward, do check our other articles on other interesting frog species like the Vietnamese mossy frog and American bullfrog.

What type of animal is a boreal chorus frog?

A boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) is a tree frog that has wide and drowsy looking eyes. It is a small frog barely 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long and has a slimy dark brown exoskeleton. Their hindlimbs are pentadactyl, that is it is made of five digits while their forelimbs only have four digits just like the western chorus frog.

What class of animal does a boreal chorus frog belong to?

Just like the western chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata), the boreal chorus frog belongs to class amphibia, of phylum Chordata in the kingdom Animalia. More specifically these are members of the family Hylidae, that is the tree frogs of the order Anura. The members of this order are short bodied,  tailless amphibians. A boreal frog belongs to the genus Pseudacris also known as chorus frogs.

How many boreal chorus frogs are there in the world?

Boreal chorus frog is found in good numbers across the North American continent. There is no proper count to their number, but they are found in abundance near the water bodies during mating season. Moreover, the western chorus frog species is often confused with the boreal chorus frog species, making the process a bit difficult.

Where does a boreal chorus frog live?

The boreal chorus frog is a tree dwelling masculata native to the American continent. It can be found in Canada, Central Quebec, and British Columbia. In the US it is found in Montana right up to Northwestern Montana, Arizona, and in Mexico.

What is a boreal chorus frog's habitat?

Boreal chorus frog range of habitat can be found near the water bodies such as marshes, ponds, streams, lakes, and swamps. They dwell in the open woodland areas with massive vegetation and suitable prey to feed on.

Who do boreal chorus frogs live with?

Boreal chorus frog can be found in solitary. But most of the time they are spotted in small groups. Often they can be seen with their close relatives, the western chorus frog. During the mating season, they can be spotted in pairs.

How long does a boreal chorus frog live?

Compared to other frogs their longevity is small. A boreal chorus frog lives for three years on average. Some may survive for up to six years. But since they are easy prey to large predators, they don't have a long life span.

How do they reproduce?

What is special about most amphibians is that they can live both on land and in the water. Their life cycle depends on both ecosystems. After the month of February, this frog is ready for mating and is spotted giving a unique mating call. After the mating call, the male frog engages in a courtship display with the female frog. Post mating, a female boreal chorus frog may lay up to 400 shell less eggs in the water bodies near aquatic plants for external fertilization by the male frog. The eggs hatch within 18 days, depending on water temperature. The tadpoles turn into frogs within 90 days after hatching. These eggs grow into legless tadpoles that later develop one pair of small legs for swimming, then later they develop one more pair of legs. These tadpoles turn into a froglet which eventually matures into an adult frog with time.

What is their conservation status?

These frogs fall under the Least Concern species under the IUCN list in terms of conservation status. They breed in good numbers and hence do not require any conservation efforts. But the frequent loss of their habitat has imposed a major threat on their survival so it is very important that plans are made to safeguard their survival status and prevent them from getting Extinct.

What do boreal chorus frogs look like?

A boreal chorus frog is a small sized tree frog, about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long. Its body is a shade of dark brown and has a total of three distinct stripes on the dorsal side. They have a dark stripe along with the eye and a white stripe along the upper lip. A dark band is presently extending from the snout up to the end of their body. Their toe pads are enlarged, which assists them in climbing trees. A boreal chorus frog is often mistaken for a western frog because they are only slightly different in their appearance.  

How cute are they?

They are somewhat cute in appearance, mostly because of their small size. But the outer covering of their body is slimy due to the secretion of mucus as a protective covering. A few people may slightly find this defense system a little gross.

How do they communicate?

Frogs in general are vocal beings and have distinct calls. This species communicates via reeking boreal chorus frog call from the grass. They communicate via a slow snorting sound with other frogs. These animals are loud in general.

How big is a boreal chorus frog?

A boreal chorus frog is usually around 1.2 in (3.0 cm) long. Some may grow up to a size of 1.5 in (3.8 cm), but such frogs are less in population.

How fast can a boreal chorus frog swim?

Most of these are excellent swimmers owing to their unique physical features. Their strong hind limbs and webbed feet and streamlined body all add to their good swimming ability.

How much does a boreal chorus frog weigh?

These are small creatures and do not weigh much. An average boreal chorus frog may weigh around 0.8 lb (0.36 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no separate names for male and female frogs, they are hence known as male boreal chorus frog and female boreal chorus frog. These amphibians do have distinct physical features that assist in identifying them separately.

What would you call a baby boreal chorus frog?

A baby boreal chorus frog is a tadpole also referred to as a polliwog. Boreal chorus frog tadpoles are very different in comparison to adult frogs. They have a larva like appearance and are entirely aquatic in nature.

What do they eat?

Frogs depend on an entirely carnivorous diet. They feed on a variety of small insects and spiders. This is one reason why they make good pests controlling agents.

How far can they jump?

A boreal chorus frog can leap very far. This species can jump as high as 130 in (3.3 m) in the air.

Would they make a good pet?

This species is meant for the wild and thrives amongst the wildlife. But they are taken as pets by people across the American continent. They are not poisonous hence they can be domesticated. But before you get this frog as a pet, do acquire the necessary knowledge about the boreal chorus frog care.

Did you know...

A boreal chorus frog just like any other frog has suction pads. Their last toe is claw shaped which is a very important feature for taking large leaps.

What do boreal chorus frogs sound like?

A boreal chorus frog produces a low rasping noise that lasts for around one to two seconds. It sounds like a small comb being dragged across a surface.

Boreal chorus frogs and humans

A boreal chorus frog dwells in the woodland and grassland region. This species can be found in marshy areas, in swamps, and in streams across water bodies. A major threat to their existence is increasing human settlements. Deforestation and swiping of grasslands for urban settlements have led to an increase in the loss of forest areas that are homes to these amphibians.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Surinam toad facts and blue poison dart frog facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our frog coloring pages.

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