Who am I?

[LynneNY]

We have had several frogs/toads singing their hearts out for a few weeks now. It started with just one, and then pretty soon there were at least 6 calling back and forth from just before dusk til about midnight. Two days ago, one floated into the skimmer and was dead when my husband took it out. We have no idea what happened to it. But that night and last night there was only the one singing! What happened to all the others? It's very strange.

This evening when my husband was cleaning the skimmer there were 2 on the rim inside. He tried to get some pictures but this is the best of the batch. AND... there isn't any singing tonight!!!

Do you think this is an American Toad?  It does trill rather than "ribbit", but I'm not sure of the coloring.

[aravenschild]

tree frogs?

[PondmaninAL]

It looks similar to the toad I found yesterday.

[Missa]

Looks like a tree frog to me.

[kitfoxdrvr]

Just like people, once they have gotten what they want, they stop.  Then they just eat, smoke a cigarette or go to sleep, whatever, but they stop singing.      

Steve

[LynneNY]

Hmmmmm - the markings aren't quite right for the tree frog and we've never seen it in a green stage, but the sounds is VERY close.


Steve - 

[Esther]

My instinct says it a toad but maybe not. They sing rather than ribbit. And like Steve says, when their job is done they stop singing and leave.

Nope. Take a look at this fellow. I think it is a tree frog.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_12201-60110--,00.html

[LynneNY]

WOW Esther - that is very close - only thing is that ours are more brownish/grey, but for now that it definitely the closest one!  Thanks!

As for their "job" being finished - I don't see any eggs around - is it too early for that, or how does that all work?  Would they be pulled into the skimmer if there had been any in the pond?

By the way... my grandmother's name was Esther and it is my daughter's Hebrew name. 

[Bytestalker]

It is an Oak Toad. http://wwknapp.home.mindspring.com/docs/oak.toad.html
Diagnostic Features:
Size: 0.75 to 1.25 inches (19 to 33 mm)
Color:
Pearl gray to black ground color, some are almost entirely black
Other:
Four or five pairs of spots on back are black or brown
Some warts are red, orange or reddish-brown
Conspicuous light middorsal stripe that may be white, cream, yellow or orange
Back finely tuberculate
Natural History:
Habitat:
This frog's habitat is pine woods. Moist areas are required for shelter, and pools or small bodies of water are necessary for breeding. More common in grassy areas in woods.
Behavior:
Hides under all manner of objects, but is more active by day than other toads
Breeding:
Breeding occurs from April to mid-October, depending on the arrival of warm heavy rains
The female lays eggs in beadlike chains of 2 - 8 eggs, total of about 700.
Breeding occurs in shallow pools, ditches, cypress and flatwoods ponds, etc.


Robert

[kitfoxdrvr]

Get a pic of the toes, that'll settle it.  If it has pads on the toes, I think Esther nailed it with the gray treefrog.  They have a varied song; it can even sound like a "bark", but usually is a shrill trill (I like that, maybe I will copyright it!).  We have lots of them around here, and they will just suddenly disappear on you like you said.

Steve

[Lynne22]

Hmmmmm - the markings aren't quite right for the tree frog and we've never seen it in a green stage, but the sounds is VERY close.


Steve - 

Go here and see if you can find the sound. Just put in the name you think it is. Try the grey tree frog...

http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/frogquiz/index.cfm?fuseaction=main.lookup

[kitfoxdrvr]

Darn.  Realplayer not on my work computer and no software downloads allowed at work (network rules).  I will have to check it out tonight.  Neat link!!!


Steve

[LynneNY]

Thanks for that link, Lynne!!!

The sound is the gray tree frog.  It does not peep at all like the oak toad.

Thanks for helping everyone!

[LeeAnne151]

I'm voting for the gray tree frog