Wood frog

Lithobates sylvaticus · The wood frog is a frog species with a broad distribution across North America, from boreal forests in the north to the southern Appalachians.

Wood frog
Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0
Wood frog
Photo: The Cosmonaut, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca
Wood frog
Photo: Jasper Shide, CC0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyRanidae
GenusLithobates
SpeciesLithobates sylvaticus

Where it lives

Forests and tundra edges from Alaska and Canada to the Appalachians.

Fun facts

  • The wood frog is the only North American frog species found north of the Arctic Circle.
  • When frozen for winter, wood frogs show no heartbeat, breathing, blood flow, muscle movement, or brain activity.
  • Wood frogs can survive with up to 65-70% of their total body water frozen solid.
  • Wood frogs can remain frozen for about 193 days straight, with body temperatures dropping to -14.6°C (5.7°F).

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).