Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)
Introduction
As humans, we get the opportunity to share and coexist on this planet with some extraordinarily unique and diverse organisms. Of such organisms, reptiles and amphibians are some of the most adaptable organisms on Earth, residing on every continent except bitter cold Antarctica. Here in Minnesota, There are 22 species of amphibians and 31 species of reptiles, ranging from the fast moving salamanders to the slow and nimble turtles. I got the opportunity to further research the Blanchard’s cricket frog, in hopes of understanding their feeding behavior, reproductive patterns, seasonal movements, and communication interspecifically as well as intraspecifically. Blanchard’s cricket frogs …show more content…
“The decline of Blanchard's cricket frogs may be attributed in part to the vulnerability of its preferred habitat to human disturbance, especially pollution of breeding areas by fertilizers and various agricultural chemicals” (Minnesota DNR). Other contributing factors leading to the species’ decline include, drought, severe winters, acidified ecosystems and disease. The life expectancy of the Blanchard’s cricket frog is only four months, with only five percent of the population surviving the winter, so it is precedent that significant efforts are made to reduce overall habitat loss. In many cases, complete population turnover can occur in 16 months. The Blanchard's cricket frog, although in the tree frog family, is the least arboreal lacking the enlarged toe pads present on their close relatives. Instead, their hind feet are webbed allowing them to live an aquatic lifestyle instead of one high up in the trees. “Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs are considered terrestrial and semi-aquatic, remaining close to permanent water bodies including lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers” (Moriarty Pg. 93). They are often seen loafing and foraging along “muddy shorelines with abundant emergent vegetation and openings of mud or gravel” (Moriarty Pg. 93). Having viable habitat is important in sustaining a healthy population of any species and the Blanchard’s cricket frog is of no …show more content…
Overall, the study of Herpetology, includes many fascinating creatures varying in habitat type, morphology and reproductive patterns and this project gave me the opportunity to further understand just one of our many Minnesota amphibians. Personally, I feel that the more we know about animals as a whole the more available we can be to cater to their needs and enforce things such as habitat loss and dwindling population numbers. Upon researching Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs, I feel that I now have a better understanding of their reproductive patterns, feeding behavior, habitat and various communication systems. Habitat preservation will need to be undertaken and a priority in the near future if we want Blanchard’s cricket frogs to remain a Minnesota species, giving future generations the opportunity to enjoy such an
Introduction
As humans, we get the opportunity to share and coexist on this planet with some extraordinarily unique and diverse organisms. Of such organisms, reptiles and amphibians are some of the most adaptable organisms on Earth, residing on every continent except bitter cold Antarctica. Here in Minnesota, There are 22 species of amphibians and 31 species of reptiles, ranging from the fast moving salamanders to the slow and nimble turtles. I got the opportunity to further research the Blanchard’s cricket frog, in hopes of understanding their feeding behavior, reproductive patterns, seasonal movements, and communication interspecifically as well as intraspecifically. Blanchard’s cricket frogs …show more content…
“The decline of Blanchard's cricket frogs may be attributed in part to the vulnerability of its preferred habitat to human disturbance, especially pollution of breeding areas by fertilizers and various agricultural chemicals” (Minnesota DNR). Other contributing factors leading to the species’ decline include, drought, severe winters, acidified ecosystems and disease. The life expectancy of the Blanchard’s cricket frog is only four months, with only five percent of the population surviving the winter, so it is precedent that significant efforts are made to reduce overall habitat loss. In many cases, complete population turnover can occur in 16 months. The Blanchard's cricket frog, although in the tree frog family, is the least arboreal lacking the enlarged toe pads present on their close relatives. Instead, their hind feet are webbed allowing them to live an aquatic lifestyle instead of one high up in the trees. “Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs are considered terrestrial and semi-aquatic, remaining close to permanent water bodies including lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers” (Moriarty Pg. 93). They are often seen loafing and foraging along “muddy shorelines with abundant emergent vegetation and openings of mud or gravel” (Moriarty Pg. 93). Having viable habitat is important in sustaining a healthy population of any species and the Blanchard’s cricket frog is of no …show more content…
Overall, the study of Herpetology, includes many fascinating creatures varying in habitat type, morphology and reproductive patterns and this project gave me the opportunity to further understand just one of our many Minnesota amphibians. Personally, I feel that the more we know about animals as a whole the more available we can be to cater to their needs and enforce things such as habitat loss and dwindling population numbers. Upon researching Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs, I feel that I now have a better understanding of their reproductive patterns, feeding behavior, habitat and various communication systems. Habitat preservation will need to be undertaken and a priority in the near future if we want Blanchard’s cricket frogs to remain a Minnesota species, giving future generations the opportunity to enjoy such an