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Fun with Frogs North Texas is home to a number of frogs and other amphibian species. These livers of "double lives" are adapted to exploit both aquatic and terrestrial environments during the course of their life cycles. Frogs, such as the locally common Southern Leopard Frog (pictured left), have historically received widespread attention from nature enthusiasts, story writers, scientists, and others. While less "popular" than the typically smooth-skinned frogs, toads, such as Woodhouse's Toad, are often correctly distinguished from frogs by the general public because of their typically rough, warty-appearing skin, although there are additional distinctions between the two groups that are less widely known. The salamanders are similar in appearance to lizards (a reptile group), but have the biological adaptations of amphibians, and typically require moist environments. The Smallmouth Salamander is one salamander species that occurs in North Texas. |
Herp Enthusiasts As originally featured in an earlier P.O.N.D. newsletter, Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society is open to anyone with an interest in reptiles and amphibians. While reptile topics are more often the focus of monthly meetings, the group occasionally offers "in the field" experiences offering the chance to find amphibians as well as reptiles. For a fun read, check out the "My First Herping Trip" article on the in the field Webpage. In the article, a young herper describes encountering a variety of reptiles and amphibians, including Leopard Frogs and Green Tree Frogs ("we could barely hear each other over the wonk, wonk, wonk sounds of their mating calls".) |
Citizen Science Texas Amphibian Watch, also mentioned in the earlier newsletter issue, offers the citizen scientist the chance to help professional scientists understand what frogs, toads, and salamanders are telling us about the world around us, particularly about the health of ecosystems. As part of the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) Bioblitz 2018 , a "Frog Walk" will occur from 6:30-8:30 p,m. on October 12. Data from the Walk will be uploaded to LLELA's iNaturalist project which incorporates observation data from a variety of species of animals and plants at LLELA. Pre-registration for the Walk is required - see the project Webpage for contact information. LLELA's amphibian checklist provides a helpful guide to assist in identification. |
Frog FindingTo seek out frogs in the Dallas area, try quietly stalking the shores of lakes and creeks in publicly accessible parks or other natural areas. With luck, you might spot a Blanchard's Cricket Frog or other species perched on the shoreline, although oftentimes you might simply hear a frog's alarm croak as it leaps into the safety of the water. Since each species of frog and toad has a distinctive call when trying to find a mate, the presence of a particular species in an area can be detected by listening for their calls. One opportunity to hear local frogs and toads calling is to tag along on an Amphibian Watch at White Rock Lake. The last "Watch" of the season is planned for October 28. Species identifications from this event will also be used in the aforementioned Texas Amphibian Watch citizen science project. |
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Frogs : the animal answer guide
by Michael E. Dorcas
In this fun and informative book, herpetologists Mike Dorcas and Whit Gibbons answer common and not-so-common questions people may have about these fascinating animals.Dorcas and Gibbons discuss how frogs evolved, which species currently exist in the world, and why some have recently gone extinct. They reveal what frogs eat and what eats them, their role in cultures across the globe, why many populations are declining and what we can do to reverse this dangerous trend, why there are deformed frogs, and much more.
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Handbook of larval amphibians of the United States and Canada
by Ronald Altig
Generously illustrated, this essential handbook for herpetologists, ecologists, and naturalists features comprehensive keys to eggs, embryos, salamander larvae, and tadpoles; species accounts; a glossary of terms; and an extensive bibliography. The taxonomic accounts include a summarization of the morphology and basic natural history, as well as an introduction to published information for each species.
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A natural history of amphibians
by Robert C. Stebbins
This is a book for all readers who want to learn about amphibians, the animal group that includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. It draws on many years of classroom teaching, laboratory experience, and field observation by the authors. Robert Stebbins and Nathan Cohen lead readers on a fascinating odyssey as they explore some of nature's most interesting creatures, interspersing their own observations throughout the book.
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Texas amphibians : a field guide
by Bob L. Tipton
Texas Amphibians is the only field guide focused exclusively on the state's frogs, toads, and salamanders. It presents brief, general accounts of the two orders and fifteen families. Then it identifies each of the seventy-two species in detail, including size, description, voice (if applicable), similar species, distribution (with maps), natural history, reproduction, subspecies (if applicable), and comments and conservation information. Color photographs illustrate the species.The book also includes a general introduction to amphibian natural history, conservation, observation and collection, maintenance in captivity, museum and preserved specimens, and scientific and common names, as well as scientific keys to Texas salamanders and frogs and a generic key to amphibian larvae.
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Business, Science & Technology
Dallas Public Library1515 Young St.
Dallas, Texas 75201
214-670-1400www.dallaslibrary.org |
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