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Carpenter Frog

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description Carpenter Frog Overview

The Carpenter Frog (Lithobates virgatipes) is a medium-sized frog of the Atlantic coastal plain of eastern North America, ranging from southern New Jersey southward through the southeastern United States. It is named for its call, a series of sharp notes resembling the tapping of a hammer, and is the only North American true frog with four distinct light stripes running lengthwise along its back. The species inhabits sphagnous bogs, swamps, and acidic wetlands, breeding in spring and summer in shallow, vegetated water.

help Carpenter Frog FAQ

What species is the Carpenter Frog?

The Carpenter Frog is Lithobates virgatipes, a frog of the Atlantic coastal plain in eastern North America. Its documented range runs from southern New Jersey southward through the southeastern United States.

Why is it called the Carpenter Frog?

It is named for the male's call, a series of sharp notes that can sound like a carpenter tapping wood. The name describes the call, not a habit of living in wooden structures.

What habitat does the Carpenter Frog prefer?

Carpenter Frogs are associated with ponds, swamps, and acidic coastal wetlands. They are medium-sized frogs, and their range is tied to the Atlantic coastal plain rather than the whole of North America.

Do Carpenter Frogs have tadpoles?

Yes, breeding takes place in water, where eggs hatch into tadpoles before metamorphosis. That aquatic stage distinguishes Lithobates virgatipes from direct-developing burrowing frogs such as Cape rain frogs.

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