![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Classification Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Genus: Lithobates Species: L. septentrionalis
--------------------------------- |
RANA SEPTENTRIONALIS
The mink frog (Lithobates septentrionalis) is a small species of frog native to the United States and Canada. They are so named for their scent, which reportedly smells like a mink. The scent is more akin to that of rotting onions to those unfamiliar with mink. It is also sometimes referred to as the north frog. Mink Frogs are very timid. Some careful sneaking is required to get close to one. Usually all you see is the water surface breaking in a number of places as they skid off vegetation and hide underneath. The best time to watch them is at night, because they tend to stay still while a flashlight beam is on them. Mink Frogs eat a variety of land and water creatures, particularly ants, beetles, bugs, moth larvae, spiders and flies.The mink frog is predominantly aquatic, living among the vegetation (especially among lily pads) in ponds, swamps, and streams around wooded areas. The mink frog is a small frog, growing up to 4.8 to 7.6 cm. The dorsum is generally green in color, with darker green and brown blotching and the belly is a cream, yellow, or white. They are sexually dimorphic in that males typically have a bright yellow colored throat, while females have a white colored throat, and the tympanum of the male is larger than the eye, while the female's is smaller than or the same size as the eye. The frogs have a pale-colored underside and bright green lips. Mating generally takes place in late spring and early summer. These frogs prefer cold, well-oxygenated wetland breeding sites where during the late night hours, but occasionally during the day, males call to attract females while floating on the water's surface or partially resting on floating vegetation. Between 500 and 4000 eggs can be laid by the female at any one time, generally in deep water. Egg masses are usually found close to floating vegetation and hatch within days of being deposited. Tadpoles remain in the larval stage for approximately one year before metamorphosing into froglets. Maturity is reached in a year for males, and two years for females.
|