Carpenter Frog
Rana virgatipes
Distribution / Habitat: The Carpenter Frog is not common in Florida, in fact it only inhabits swamps that border the southern edge of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp (in Baker and Columbia counties in FL). In Florida, carpenter frogs inhabit acidic cypress and tupelo swamps near the Georgia-Florida state line in Columbia and Baker counties only. It occurs as far north as the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.
Description: This frog is identified by its greenish-brown body, four bronze stripes down the back and sides, black mottled sides and legs, and yellow undersides which are mottled on the lower half of the frog.
Size: The carpenter frog is usually smaller than 2.5 inches in length.
Reproduction: The carpenter frog breeds during spring and summer (April to Sept.), and males can be heard calling from floating vegetation in swamps.
Call: The call resembles someone hammering on a plank of wood -- a series of six (or so) two-syllabled, clacking calls that diminish in volume towards the end.
Click HERE to listen to the call of the Carpenter Frog
(A new browser window will open with the sound file)
Development of these pages was a cooperative effort. Photos were supplied by Barry Mansell Photos and calls were provided by Paul Moler, state herpetologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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