Unit XI Amphibians of Kansas Information

Introduction to Amphibians Class Amphibia: Class Amphibia: 31 species of amphibians in Kansas, including salamanders and frogs and toads. 31 species of amphibians in Kansas, including salamanders and frogs and toads. Most species in Kansas are active from about March to November. Most species in Kansas are active from about March to November. “amphi-“ means both, as in living on both land and water. “amphi-“ means both, as in living on both land and water. Smooth, thin, moist skin (toads have rougher, dryer skin) Smooth, thin, moist skin (toads have rougher, dryer skin) Many amphibians are extremely fragile. The salts and other chemicals we have on our hands can actually kill them if we hold them too long by diffusing through their skin and getting into their bodies. Many amphibians are extremely fragile. The salts and other chemicals we have on our hands can actually kill them if we hold them too long by diffusing through their skin and getting into their bodies. Majority have four limbs and no claws Majority have four limbs and no claws

Introduction to Amphibians, cont. Ectotherms, meaning “cold-blooded”—they hibernate (winter) or aestivate (summer) in extreme temps Ectotherms, meaning “cold-blooded”—they hibernate (winter) or aestivate (summer) in extreme temps Offspring develop through metamorphosis, meaning they have a larval stage and an adult stage of the life cycle, where their bodies look very different. Offspring develop through metamorphosis, meaning they have a larval stage and an adult stage of the life cycle, where their bodies look very different. Tadpoles are aquatic larvae and the adults live on land. Tadpoles are aquatic larvae and the adults live on land. Breathe through poorly developed lungs and skin—they diffuse oxygen through their skin along with using their lungs. Breathe through poorly developed lungs and skin—they diffuse oxygen through their skin along with using their lungs. Digests prey whole Digests prey whole

Introduction to Amphibians, cont. 3 eyelids: two “normal” like ours, and one called the nictotating membrane which is transparent. 3 eyelids: two “normal” like ours, and one called the nictotating membrane which is transparent. “ear” is the tympanic membrane “ear” is the tympanic membrane Must return to water to reproduce. Their eggs are a gelatinous mass that have no protective covering. They must be laid in water for them to survive. Must return to water to reproduce. Their eggs are a gelatinous mass that have no protective covering. They must be laid in water for them to survive. Orders of Amphibia: Orders of Amphibia: Order Apoda: meaning without legs like caecilian Order Apoda: meaning without legs like caecilian Order Urodela: tailed amphibians like salamanders and newts Order Urodela: tailed amphibians like salamanders and newts Order Anura: tailless amphibians. All frogs and toads Order Anura: tailless amphibians. All frogs and toads

Introduction to Amphibians, cont. (Order Anura, frogs and toads, cont) (Order Anura, frogs and toads, cont) Use powerful hind limbs for movement Use powerful hind limbs for movement Tongue is attached to tip of lower jaw and has sticky tip, which they flick out at a prey item, and then bring the food item back into their mouth where they swallow it whole. Tongue is attached to tip of lower jaw and has sticky tip, which they flick out at a prey item, and then bring the food item back into their mouth where they swallow it whole. Sometimes have poisonous skin, such as toads and rainforest poison dart frogs. Sometimes have poisonous skin, such as toads and rainforest poison dart frogs. Only males sing and make noise Only males sing and make noise Many species in severe decline due to many factors: habitat loss, pollution of waterways, increased UV rays from thinning ozone layer, and fungal diseases that are showing up in high numbers for as of yet unknown reasons. Many species in severe decline due to many factors: habitat loss, pollution of waterways, increased UV rays from thinning ozone layer, and fungal diseases that are showing up in high numbers for as of yet unknown reasons.

Introduction to Amphibians, cont. Identification: Identification: One field guide will cover both amphibians and reptiles. One field guide will cover both amphibians and reptiles. The introduction in any field guide will give a great overview of what to look for in each group. The introduction in any field guide will give a great overview of what to look for in each group. Size, shape, habitat, and obvious markings on the bodies are the basis for field identification. Size, shape, habitat, and obvious markings on the bodies are the basis for field identification.

Smallmouth Salamander

4-5.5” in length 4-5.5” in length Found in roughly the eastern 1/3 of Kansas, and more common in the southern part of this range than the northern part. Found in roughly the eastern 1/3 of Kansas, and more common in the southern part of this range than the northern part. Emerges in early spring, usually during the first night- time rain at the end of the winter in late February or early March. They breed, and then disperse to habitat under logs or rocks in moist areas. Generally spends most of the summer and winter months below ground. Emerges in early spring, usually during the first night- time rain at the end of the winter in late February or early March. They breed, and then disperse to habitat under logs or rocks in moist areas. Generally spends most of the summer and winter months below ground. Difficult to find and very difficult to keep in captivity. Difficult to find and very difficult to keep in captivity.

Barred Tiger Salamander

6-8.5” in length ” in length. The only salamander found throughout Kansas. The only salamander found throughout Kansas. Kansas State Amphibian Kansas State Amphibian Opportunistic feeder, it will eat basically whatever it can stuff in its mouth! Aquatic insects, grasshoppers, worms, fish, tadpoles, frogs, toads, other salamanders and even mice! Opportunistic feeder, it will eat basically whatever it can stuff in its mouth! Aquatic insects, grasshoppers, worms, fish, tadpoles, frogs, toads, other salamanders and even mice!

Plains Spadefoot

1.5-2” in length ” in length. Eats beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and ants Eats beetles, crickets, grasshoppers, and ants Lives in prairies and open floodplains, especially where there is sand or loose soil. Lives in prairies and open floodplains, especially where there is sand or loose soil. Burrows in loose ground during day, and emerges in evenings, especially after rains. Burrows in loose ground during day, and emerges in evenings, especially after rains.

Bullfrog

Bullfrog Largest frog in the state, and is 3 ½-6” in length. Largest frog in the state, and is 3 ½-6” in length. Males have much larger ear membranes (the circles behind the eyes) than the females. Males have much larger ear membranes (the circles behind the eyes) than the females. Call is the deep, baritone, “whomp” sound. Call is the deep, baritone, “whomp” sound. Eats nearly anything it can fit into its mouth, including invertebrates and small vertebrates, even small turtles, birds, bats, shrews and moles! Eats nearly anything it can fit into its mouth, including invertebrates and small vertebrates, even small turtles, birds, bats, shrews and moles! Is a game animal in Kansas, and can be hunted only from July 1-Sept 30 with a valid Kansas fishing license. Hind limbs are the well-known “frog legs” served in restaurants. Is a game animal in Kansas, and can be hunted only from July 1-Sept 30 with a valid Kansas fishing license. Hind limbs are the well-known “frog legs” served in restaurants.

Plains Leopard Frog

2-3 ¾” in length. 2-3 ¾” in length. Can breed as early as February and may continue into the summer. Can breed as early as February and may continue into the summer. Call sounds like wet fingers rubbing on a balloon. Call sounds like wet fingers rubbing on a balloon. Eats primarily terrestrial insects. Eats primarily terrestrial insects.

Western Chorus Frog

¾-1 ½ ” in length ¾-1 ½ ” in length This is the first frog to start calling in the spring, and is vocal in March and April. This is the first frog to start calling in the spring, and is vocal in March and April. Call sounds similar to running your fingernail over the teeth of a comb. Call sounds similar to running your fingernail over the teeth of a comb. Eats terrestrial and aquatic insects. Eats terrestrial and aquatic insects.

Northern Cricket Frog

Small, they are 5/8-1.5” long. Small, they are 5/8-1.5” long. Habitat is muddy, beach-like edges of small ponds and shallow streams. Avoids deep water. Habitat is muddy, beach-like edges of small ponds and shallow streams. Avoids deep water. Call sounds similar jingling a bag of marbles. Call sounds similar jingling a bag of marbles. Eats mostly aquatic insects. Eats mostly aquatic insects.

Gray Treefrog

Gray Treefrog calling

Gray Treefrog The only amphibian in Kansas that can change its color to better blend with its habitat. Can be bright green to tan to light gray. The green is uniform in color, but the gray is mottled like lichen on a tree trunk. The only amphibian in Kansas that can change its color to better blend with its habitat. Can be bright green to tan to light gray. The green is uniform in color, but the gray is mottled like lichen on a tree trunk ” in length ” in length. Found in eastern 1/3 of Kansas. Found in eastern 1/3 of Kansas. Habitat is low shrubs of woodland and woodland edge. More arboreal than other frogs. Can also be found on storm doors or windows of houses if porch lights are left on (if you live near their habitat)—they climb up to eat the insects at night. Habitat is low shrubs of woodland and woodland edge. More arboreal than other frogs. Can also be found on storm doors or windows of houses if porch lights are left on (if you live near their habitat)—they climb up to eat the insects at night. Call sounds like a deeper, monotone belch. Call sounds like a deeper, monotone belch. Eats terrestrial and flying insects. Eats terrestrial and flying insects.

American Toad

Has dry skin, round snout, kidney-shaped glands behind each eye, and a dark spots on white belly. Has dry skin, round snout, kidney-shaped glands behind each eye, and a dark spots on white belly. Found in eastern 1/3 of Kansas. Found in eastern 1/3 of Kansas. Found in rocky, open woods or woodland edge habitat. Found in rocky, open woods or woodland edge habitat. Call is a high-pitched, monotone trill. Call is a high-pitched, monotone trill. Eats a large quantity of insects and is very beneficial for this reason to Kansas farmers. Eats a large quantity of insects and is very beneficial for this reason to Kansas farmers.

Woodhouse’s Toad

Woodhouse’s Toads breeding

Woodhouse’s Toad Has dry skin, round snout, kidney-shaped glands behind each eye, and a much plainer belly than the American Toad. Has dry skin, round snout, kidney-shaped glands behind each eye, and a much plainer belly than the American Toad. Found throughout Kansas. Found throughout Kansas. Found in diverse habitats, but seems to prefer lowland areas. Found in diverse habitats, but seems to prefer lowland areas. Call is a haunting, high-pitched screaming sound. Call is a haunting, high-pitched screaming sound. Eats a variety of insects and spiders; can eat up to 2/3 of its own weight in a single day. Eats a variety of insects and spiders; can eat up to 2/3 of its own weight in a single day.

Great Plains Narrowmouth Frog

Has moist skin, a fold of skin across the back of the head between the eyes, and a very pointed snout and a small head, relative to its body. Has moist skin, a fold of skin across the back of the head between the eyes, and a very pointed snout and a small head, relative to its body. Found throughout the eastern 2/3 of Kansas. Found throughout the eastern 2/3 of Kansas. Often found under rocks on open, grassy slopes. Often found under rocks on open, grassy slopes. Eats almost nothing but ants. Eats almost nothing but ants. Very secretive frog; spends almost entire life underground. Very secretive frog; spends almost entire life underground.

References Reptiles and Amphibians in Kansas, by Joseph Collins Reptiles and Amphibians in Kansas, by Joseph Collins Turtles in Kansas, by Janalee P. Caldwell and Joseph T. Collins Turtles in Kansas, by Janalee P. Caldwell and Joseph T. Collins Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians (eastern and central North America), by Conant and Collins. Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians (eastern and central North America), by Conant and Collins.