Left : Green treefrog ; right : Squirrel treefrog .
Photos by JD Willson species than larger ones . Kiawah Island with its six species of frogs was the baseline for the model among the barrier islands . For example , Sapelo Island , GA , is twice as big and has 11 species .
Get to know the frogs and toads of Kiawah The showcase of frogs and toads native to Kiawah Island represent a small but eclectic assemblage of five different families and offer an intriguing look into the wonders of biodiversity . A resident may take years to learn to identify the local birds , fishes , and insects . But with minimal effort anyone can become an expert on the indigenous species of frogs ,
toads , and treefrogs .
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Southern Leopard Frog ( family Ranidae ). The only member of the so-called true frogs on the island is easily recognizable by round or oval dark spots on the back and sides on a brown or green body . The pointed head , smooth skin , and slender body are additional key characters . Leopard frogs reach lengths of five inches and are the largest frogs on Kiawah . They make a chuckling sound reminiscent of a balloon being twisted .
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Eastern Narrowmouth Toad ( family Microhylidae ). The pear-shaped body of this tiny toad is smooth above but granular on the underside . The skin behind the head forms a fold across the back . Body color can vary from gray to brown . The distinctive breeding call is a whining “ baaaa .”
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Southern Toad ( family Bufonidae ). The only true toad on the island is familiar in woodlands and suburban areas throughout the Coastal Plain . The typical body color is brown , but some individuals are dull red and others almost black . The belly is grayish white . Dark spots encircling small warts are usually visible on the back and sides . Prominent ridges are visible between the eyes and on the head . The call is a melodious trill that can last for several seconds and belies the toad ’ s appearance . Despite a popular misconception , the warts do not cause warts on people .
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Eastern Spadefoot Toad ( family Scaphiopodidae ). The body of this secretive species can be brown , olive , gray , or black but usually has yellow markings that form a pair of reversed parentheses . The skin may have bumps and small warts . A dark spade-like swelling on the inside of the back foot is used for digging . Spadefoot toads are known to stay underground for weeks or months , emerging to breed during torrential downpours . Their call is a slow , deep croak repeated continually at three- to four-second intervals . The relentless sound of a large chorus can be heard more than a mile away .
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Green Treefrog ( family Hylidae ). This treefrog is one of the most common ones in the eastern United States and readily recognizable by the ivory to yellow racing stripe down each side of a bright green body . They are often heard in large choruses making loud duck-like calls . From a distance they sound like cowbells . Green treefrogs are not shy and may appear on outdoor decks at night or seen on cattails or other vegetation during the day .
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Squirrel Treefrog ( family Hylidae ). The same individual in this species may be green or brown depending on temperature , humidity , and activity level . They are smaller than green treefrogs and may have a faint yellow stripe on each side . They often call singly and can be heard around houses , especially with an approaching storm . A frog on a window pane will likely be one of these .
Birds don ’ t have tadpoles and frogs can ’ t fly , but they do have one thing in common . Both make a lot of noise at certain times and can be recognized by their sounds . Frogs and toads have much to tell us about the mysteries of nature , and we need to keep listening for them wherever they are . All six kinds of anurans survive and presumably thrive on Kiawah Island today as they did when I came in 1974 . It may take a tropical storm to bring them all out at the same time , but if it is safe to do so , plan to join them . I look forward to my next visit to Kiawah Island to say hello to the frogs and hear what they have to say . NK
Whit Gibbons is Professor Emeritus of Ecology , University of Georgia , and former head of Educational Outreach at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory . He has written numerous scientific articles on reptiles and amphibians , including two books on frogs and toads with Mike Dorcas . Whit ’ s books are available on Amazon at http :// whitgibbons . com / books /.
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