Cricket Frog Variations (2)

7.

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Rarely (very rarely), I may find a cricket frog with spectacular coloration, such as frog #7. I have only seen a handful of these beautiful frogs among the hundreds I have looked at.  Perhaps more will turn up in further searches.  Note the strong leg bar markings. Thanks to Ken Felsman for the top picture.

Diversity in the Mud...

In addition to using patterns to break up their silhouettes, these frogs also can use color to blend in with their backgrounds.

While canoeing along the Cache River in October of 2000,  I was able to spot and photograph a number of Cricket Frogs on a muddy bank.  Frog #8 blends in very well with the mud - it was the only one of a dozen or so frogs on the bank with this coloration.  Can these frogs change colors to match the color of their surroundings?  I wonder.  I have seen them darken considerably under stress, but they still seem to retain their patterns.  Unfortunately, I didn't have all day to watch this frog in case it turned color!

Frog #9  is another from the bank, with an rusty orange dorsal pattern.  The light and dark barring on the upper lip is quite visible on this frog.  I think it's a pretty one!  There were several like this on the mud bank.

Frog #10 exhibits the more typical coloration of cricket frogs.  Note how well the legs blend in with the mud - the warts really match the mud texture!