Head to head
Mountain Chorus Frog vs Illinois Chorus Frog
A mountain chorus frog and an Illinois chorus frog are both geographically restricted chorus frog species, each shaped by a very specific habitat requirement that neither can easily do without.
| Mountain Chorus Frog | Illinois Chorus Frog | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pseudacris brachyphona | Pseudacris illinoensis |
| Key habitat requirement | Temporary Appalachian hillside pools | Loose sandy burrowing soil |
| Lifestyle | Surface-dwelling | Mostly underground, burrowing |
| Native range | Central Appalachian region | Central Mississippi River valley |
| Call quality | Distinctive curved-stripe pattern species | Musical, bell-like trill |
| Habitat | Forest and mountains | Grassland and wetlands |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Decreasing |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Mountain Chorus Frog vs Illinois Chorus Frog: common questions
How are the mountain chorus frog and Illinois chorus frog both habitat specialists?
Both species are considerably more geographically and ecologically restricted than most other chorus frog relatives: the mountain chorus frog depends on temporary pools that form specifically on Appalachian hillsides, while the Illinois chorus frog depends on loose sandy soil suited to its burrowing lifestyle, a requirement found only within a limited part of the Mississippi River valley.
Which frog spends more time underground?
The Illinois chorus frog spends considerably more time underground, remaining burrowed in sandy soil for most of the year and emerging only briefly after rainfall to breed, while the mountain chorus frog remains active closer to the surface throughout its breeding season within its Appalachian hillside habitat.
Are both frogs declining?
Yes, both species have experienced population declines linked directly to loss of their specific required habitat, with the mountain chorus frog contracting in parts of Appalachia and the Illinois chorus frog declining due to loss of the sandy soil habitat it depends on from agricultural conversion and sand mining.