Description
1 3/8 – 2 ¾”(3.5-7cm). Dark mask on side of face. Tan to reddish brown in color. Dorsolateral ridges same color as body and extends from eye to hip. External eardrum smaller than eye. Smooth skin and white belly.
Call Description
Often described as sounding like a flock of ducks. Short, raspy, quack-like sound that doesn’t carry very far.
Indiana Range
Statewide except northwest prairie region.
Diet
Insects, spiders, worms, and snails.
Habitat
Mature moist forests, forested bottomlands, and swamp forests. Adults are land-dwelling and will venture far from water when they aren’t breeding.
Breeding Habitat
Woodland ponds, bogs, ditches, shallow temporary ponds, ditches, and backwaters of streams.
Breeding Season
End of February to March
Eggs
Deposited in large globular masses attached to aquatic vegetation. Mass may contain up to 3,000 eggs. Hatch in 2-3 weeks.
Tadpoles
Dark green to dark reddish brown to blackish with gold flecks. Belly iridescent and internal organs are visible. Plump body with short tail and high fins. Metamorphoses in 6-15 weeks.