The Pickerel Frog is characterized by moist skin, a round snout, distinct spots on its back arranged approximately in two rows between raised folds or ridges of skin on each side of the back running from behind the eye down to the thighs, and a bright yellow-orange color on the undersides of the thighs. The head, body, and limbs are tan or light brown with dark brown or red-brown lightly outlined spots on the head and back. The hind limbs are darkly banded. The raised ridges of skin on each side of the back may be light yellow, gray, or white. The belly is white. Males are distinguished from females by the enlarged finger on each hand during the breeding season. Females are heavier during the breeding season.
Adults normally 44-75 mm (1¾-3 inches) in snout-vent length. The largest Kansas specimen is a female (KU 17471) from Cherokee County with a total length of 71 mm (27⁄8 inches) that was collected by Edward H. Taylor and Hobart M. Smith on 25 March 1932. The maximum length throughout the range is 87.3 mm (37⁄16 inches) (Powell et al., 2016).
Known from the Spring River drainage in Crawford and Cherokee counties.
It has been collected 24.5 miles (39.5 km) west of the Kansas state line along the Spring River in adjacent Jasper County, Missouri (KU 18540, UIMNH 32888; both from 1934) approximately 8 miles east of Carthage.
The only three specimens of this frog known from Kansas were collected prior to 1933, although they do persist in nearby southwest Missouri. This frog prefers the cool, clear streams and pools associated with limestone crevices and caves. Within caves it may remain active during the entire year. Smith (1932) found two specimens of this amphibian in steep-sided deep pools of cool streams in Cherokee County during Marchand April.
No breeding observations on the Pickerel Frog in Kansas have been reported. Like most frogs, this species probably emerges from winter inactivity in early spring and breeds during March and April.The call is a low-pitched snore that lasts 2-3 seconds. The eggs are laid and hatch in water, and presumably the tadpoles metamorphose during the following summer.
Smith (1934, 1956) reported this creature feeding primarily on terrestrial arthropods.
First reported from Kansas by Smith (1932) based on two specimens (KU 17470-1) collected from a pool 4 mi N Baxter Springs along the Spring River in Cherokee County. The earliest existing specimen (KU 9488) is from Pittsburg, Crawford County, and was collected in 1911 (no other associated data). Moriarty and Collins (1995) added "along Cow Creek" to the locality and "Summer" to the date, but did not cite any sources as to how those specifications were ascertained.
These are the only three specimens known from Kansas. Due to the paucity of records, and the great intervening time period since their capture prompted this taxon to be placed on the state's Threatened species list. Platt et al. (1974) recommended that any breeding sites of this species located on county, state, or federal property or on the property of willing landowners be designated sanctuaries and protected from disturbance. Loraine (1983) was unsuccessful in his attempt to rediscover this frog in Cherokee County, Kansas. The Pickerel Frog has not been found in Kansas for over sixty years. It may no longer occur in the state due to habitat destruction.Pickerel Frogs have the ability to secrete an irritating, somewhat toxic substance from their skin, an adaptation which undoubtedly protects them from potential predators. The secretion is toxic to other amphibians and some reptiles, and persons handling this frog should be careful to keep their hands away from their mouth and eyes.
Based on a captive specimen, Snider and Bowler (1992) reported a maximum longevity for this frog of two years, five months, and one day.
Loraine (1983) surveyed unsuccessfully for this species in the Ozark Plateau of Cherokee County. Collins (1993) questioned its existence and continued recognition in the state.
Kirk (2001) attempted the repatriation (with 120 adults [28 males, 15 females, 77 undetermined] and egg masses) of this taxon into two areas along Shoal Creek in Cherokee County. Kirk (2001) recorded nine recaptures and an average mass gain of ~3.7 grams per frog.
Ad hoc attempts by parties following up on the status of this repatriation effort have failed to turn up any Pickerel Frogs, but a sustained effort may discover them once again living in the state.
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