Amphibians
Southern Chorus Frog
Pseudacris nigrita · also called southern chorus frogs
In a shallow, grassy roadside ditch along the southeastern coastal plain, southern chorus frogs begin calling on one of the first genuinely mild nights of the season, three dark stripes marking a small, easily overlooked frog that few people notice until they hear it.
Overview
The southern chorus frog, Pseudacris nigrita, is a small insectivorous frog native to grassland, forest edge, and wetland habitat across the southeastern coastal plain of the United States. Its early, rain-independent breeding timing and preference for shallow, temporary ponds and ditches make it one of the more reliably early amphibian voices in its region each year.
An early voice in a crowded chorus frog genus
Distinguishing the southern chorus frog from its many close relatives often comes down to timing and location as much as appearance, one of several look-alike species whose calls, more than their markings, give away exactly which one is singing.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and common across suitable habitat throughout the southeastern coastal plain.
Southern Chorus Frog: common questions
What does the southern chorus frog look like?
A southern chorus frog typically displays three dark stripes or rows of spots running down its back, a pattern shared broadly across several related chorus frog species, making close attention to range and call often more useful than appearance alone for confirming identification.
Where does the southern chorus frog breed?
The southern chorus frog breeds in shallow, grassy, temporary ponds and roadside ditches, taking advantage of these short-lived, often fishless water bodies to complete its breeding cycle before the water dries up.
When does the southern chorus frog start calling?
A southern chorus frog often breeds early in the season, calling on some of the first mild nights suitable for breeding activity, a pattern shared broadly among chorus frogs generally, which tend to be among the earliest amphibian voices heard each year.
Where does the southern chorus frog live?
The southern chorus frog is native to grassland, forest edge, and wetland habitat across the southeastern coastal plain of the United States, spending most of its time hidden on land outside its brief breeding period.