Indiana has a rich biodiversity with thousands of species in unique habitats, but growth and development have changed some of those fragile ecosystems and threaten the wildlife they support. IndyStar is highlighting some of these endangered species and documenting the work being done to conserve them.
There’s a frog in Indiana that could be described as a bit of a vagabond, but if a crayfish could talk, it might call it a home invader.
The Crawfish Frog, Lithobates areolatus, can be found in dwindling numbers in the southern part of the state. The large amphibians have distinctive, almost leopard-like, brown markings on a light tan body. And they take over crawdad burrows.
Crawfish frogs typically live in grasslands and savannahs, according to a 2017 research paper published in Herpetological Conservation and Biology, but habitat loss and disease has shrunk populations in the U.S. Still, they’re named for their habit of using crayfish burrows that are mostly abandoned. There have been some instances, however, when an upset crayfish comes home from a hard day of crayfishing only to have to kick out a frog and cap the burrow.
While crawfish frogs might be notorious for their rap sheets full of B&Es, they are also said to have a distinct sound when calling, almost like the sound of someone snoring.
The frogs live most of their lives in their underground burrows but can be found in ponds during breeding season beginning in March and running through mid-April. The frogs also like to have a bit of a clearing in front of the burrow where they can feed and bask in the sun.
Current crawfish frog populations in the state are isolated but large. Historic habitat ranged from Benton County south to the Ohio River, but today no frogs live north of the White River.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has been working to bring the frog’s population back to a sustainable number through a breeding and release program.
Crawfish frog in its breeding wetland, this frog was captured and outfitted with radio-transmitters to understand how far from the wetlands they travel after breeding season ends.
DNR’s Wildlife Research Supervisor Theresa Bordenkecher said about 800 froglets were released in July split between the Angel Mounds State Historic Site near Evansville and the Sycamore Land Trust’s Sam Shine Nature Preserve in Monroe County. The frogs, just past the tadpole stage, were bread in captivity.
The department has also been taking egg masses out to various state fish and wildlife areas to help the population along that way, too.
IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social or X @karlstartswithk.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Endangered: Meet the hoppy home invaders losing ground in Indiana.