Northern green frog
{{Short description|Subspecies of amphibian}}
{{Subspeciesbox
| name = Northern green frog
| image = Northern Green Frog - Tewksbury, NJ.jpg
| image_caption = Female, Tewksbury Township, New Jersey
| genus = Lithobates
| species = clamitans
| subspecies = melanota
| authority = (Rafinesque, 1820)
| range_map = Ran_clam_NA_range.gif
| range_map_caption = Native range
| synonyms = Rana clamitans melanotus[http://www.carcnet.ca/english/amphibians/species_accounts/anurans/L_clamitans/clamitans.php Lithobates clamitans melanota], Green Frog, CARCNET
}}
The northern green frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota)[http://www.torontozoo.com/adoptapond/frogs.asp?fr=11 Green Frog], Metro Toronto Zoo is a subspecies of the green frog, Lithobates clamitans. It is native to the northeastern North America and has been introduced to British Columbia.[http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/frogwatch/publications/factsheets/frogs/green.htm Green Frog], Gov. of British Columbia, Ministry of the Environment Its mating call sounds like the single note of a plucked banjo. It is also quite common in the pet trade.
Description
File:Northern Green Frog, Sturgeon River.jpg, Ontario]]
File:Green Frog, blue coloured, Fletcher Wildlife Garden.jpg
Adult green frogs attain a snout-vent length (excluding the hind legs) of 5.5 to 9 cm (2.25 to 3.5 in). The ground color is green or brownish-green. Where the green back and sides fade into the white belly and chest, some black mottling may occur. Some individuals may have light-gray mottling on the chest. The most prominent feature is the pair of dorsolateral folds extending from behind the tympanic membranes to just beyond halfway down the back. The male's single vocal sac is internal. When it calls, the throat swells, but the vocal sac is not visible.
Habitat
The northern green frog dwells in marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, springs, and other aquatic environments. It is active both day and night.[http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/species/herps/herppages/Ran_cla.htm Green Frog], Canadian Biodiversity Web Site
In Captivity
Northern Green frogs are kept as common pets among the pet trade, although they're often mislabeled as bullfrogs. A 10 gallon half land/half water aquarium or woodland terrarium is suitable for one frog, but two or more frogs will require a larger space to reduce stress and competition. Crickets, night crawlers and meal worms provide adequate nutrition. The tank water should be changed once a week to reduce parasites and diseases. If tap water is used, it should be treated or tested to remove harmful metals and ammonia. On average, in captivity, Northern green frogs live for 10 years.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- [http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnh/nature/frogs/green.htm Green Frog], Nova Scotia Frogs
- [http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/subsite/glfc-amphibians/rana-clamitans Green Frog], Natural Resources Canada
{{Taxonbar|from1=Q21362892|from2=Q1284509}}