Mountain Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brachyphona)

​Species Information

Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: .75 - 1.25 inches
Range: Southwest Virginia
Status: Tier II

There is far too little known about these frogs, especially in Virginia. This species has a low detection outside of breeding, as well. These Chorus Frogs are stockier (like a fat Spring Peeper) than Upland Chorus Frogs and similar species. Their skin is granulated like most of our pseudacris species, but they have some enlarged grains, giving them a slightly "warty" appearance. Mountain Chorus Frogs have the usual base color of other similar pseudacris species, but they usually have two, blobby lines down their backs that often form a "><" or "H" appearance and a triangle between their eyes. This pattern can bleach out however, like with other species (see Upland Chorus Frog for example).

I often find this species by road cruising in appropriate conditions, or by seeking out calling males in (often roadside) puddles, ditches, and ruts where there are limited grasses. This species seems to do well in grassy or forested pools, often smaller than what Spring Peepers prefer. This species seems like it is more willing to sit out in the open, while calling, than others if there are enough males calling.

We noted in West Virginia that males seem to inflate themselves with water, similar to pufferfish, when we handled them. This made them difficult to handle, like one of those "Water Wigglers" (those tube toys filled with water). Females were inflating in amplexis as well. We though the one female had drown (photoed above), but after a minute, she swam up for air and sunk back down to where they were perched. I have never read or heard of this behavior, nor seen it in any other local species. They also seem to spiral their eggs around sticks and grasses, which also a new behavior to us. 

Similar Species: Cricket Frogs are often mistaken for all members of this genus, but Mountain Chorus Frogs appear to not overlap in range with the Northern Cricket Frog in Virginia. Other Chorus Frogs can also be similar, such as the Spring Peeper, which has thinner doral patterns and a smoother appearance. They may overlap with Upland Chorus Frogs on part of the Cumberland Plateau, but shape and patterns are quite distinct.

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Calls

​Maps and External Sources

Calls are a rough, raspy "Wreeck".

Sonograph of calls. Red denotes individual calls.

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Known and predicted range