Illinois Chorus Frog

Range

This organism can be found in three main regions. They include the West-central and Southwestern Illinois, Southeastern Missouri and Northeastern Arkansas.

Habitats

They are known to inhabit Sand prairies and remnants such as sandy agricultural fields and waste area. However, its habitat changes as a result of channelization due to burrows in sand. They emerge after heavy, early spring rains to breed in nearby flooded fields, ditches and other vernal ponds.

Identification

The Illinois Chorus frog has a body size length of 1 to 1.5 inches. It is tan to tannish grey with a white belly and many dark or gray irregularly shaped markings. The frog has a distinctive V-shaped marking between the eyes, a dark stripe from snout to shoulder, and a dark spot below each eye. Juveniles are dull gray and have conspicuous body markings. The skin of the Illinois Chorus Frog has a rough texture. The large and Muscular forearms of this frog are used to dig the burrows where it spends much of the year.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians