Nature is amazing. Looking closely, getting eye-to-eye with the natural world, reveals the most fascinating wonders, creatures included. Case in point. While typing away last week on our home computer on the second floor, I heard a loud “krek-ek, krek-ek, krek-ek” from below. After going outside to investigate, certain a big old bullfrog was making all the racket, I found instead a very small frog, maybe the size of a half dollar coin, two inches at most. The little creature allowed me to get up close and personal and take pictures and examine it from all angles, which revealed the most fascinating characteristics. The first thing that caught my eye was its coloring — gray, white, and black with a wide, black line running lengthwise, making it look exactly like a small piece of granite. But this was no diminutive rock, this was the Pseudacris sierra, or Sierran treefrog.
According to the USGS.gov website, the Sierran treefrog lives from sea level to mountains, in grasslands, forests, and farmlands, and is “chiefly a terrestrial, non-climber [despite its name], preferring to remain among low plants near or along water. They breed and lay their eggs in a variety of waters including marshes, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, slow streams, and roadside ditches.” A fascinating characteristic is the frog’s ability to change color between gray, brown, and green over a period of days or weeks to match its environment and the brightness of the background in order to protect itself from predators, such as wading birds (herons and egrets), snakes, and many small- to medium-sized mammals like raccoons, opossums, and skunks. Even large frogs will prey on their smaller brothers. However, the black stripe that runs from the end of its nose through the center of each eye and along the sides to the shoulder remains the same.
Another of this amphibian’s amazing traits is its E.T.-lookalike toes — rubbery-looking, long, extended fingers with wide pads at the fingertips. Recall E.T. stretching out its gelatinous pointer to connect with human friend Elliott’s finger, and you can imagine the treefrog’s appendages. According to CaliforniaHerps.com (herpetology is the study of amphibians and reptiles), the treefrog’s large toe pads allow it to climb easily and cling to branches, twigs, and grass. Also, the treefrog’s bulging eyes, which are clear to yellow with wide black pupils, are reminiscent of everybody’s favorite alien.
While we’re lucky to have this little gem in our backyards, the Sierran treefrog’s range includes southeastern Oregon, western Montana, western Idaho, and northern Nevada (a map is available on USGS.gov). However, with winter approaching, we won’t see the little camouflager because it hibernates in dense vegetation, debris piles, crevices, mammal burrows, and even human buildings. After the snow melts in the spring, listen for its loud “krek-ek” and then go scouting for it; you’ll marvel at its tiny existence.
Check out californiaherps.com for a variety of the treefrog’s images and voice recordings. Do you have a question about our region’s natural world? Email mountainlife@moonshineink.com.
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