Atlanta Botanical Garden Frog Talk (6th-12th)

Description:Meet a few members of the Garden’s amphibian collection and study their ​ adaptations and behaviors with our knowledgeable Education Team. See how we care for our animals while learning about amphibians habitats, life cycles, and relationships with plants.

GSE Supported: S7L1.a S7L2.c, S7L3.c, S7L4.a, S7L4.c,S7L5.b, SB1.d,SB5.a, SB5.c, SB5.d, ​ SZ4.a.b, SZ5.a, SBO5.a, SBO5.c

Pre-Visit: Guiding Questions: What role do amphibians play in the health and diversity of an ​ ​ ecosystem?

What to Read/Watch: Frogs Vs. Fungus, Make Your Backyard Frog Friendly, Difference ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Between Frogs and Toads

Post-Visit: Questions: What is something we can do to help protect amphibians? ​ ​

Activities: Learn Your Frog Calls: Male frogs vocalize to attract mates and to signal to other ​ ​ ​ frogs to stay out of their territory. See if you can match the following frogs to their calls.

Barking Treefrog American Bullfrog

Southern Chorus Frog Eastern Narrow Mouthed Toad

Call 1 Call 2 Call 3 Call 4 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amphibian Identification: Use the following dichotomous key to identify some of the native frogs ​ of Georgia.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

1. Is the frog green? a. Yes……………………………………………………….....go to 2 b. No ………………………………………………………….go to 4 2. Does the frog have spots? a. Yes………………………………………….…………..…..Leopard Frog b. No…………………………………………….…………..…go to 3 3. Does the frog have a white stripe on its side? a. Yes…………………………………………………………..Green Treefrog b. No……………………………………………………………Squirrel Treefrog 4. Does the brown frog have spots? a. Yes……………………………………….…………………..Gopher Frog b. No………………………………………………………….....Go to 5 5. Does the brown frog have a dark bold stripe pattern…………….Ornate Chorus Frog a. Is the brown frog very small and light colored……………Spring Peeper Amphibian Conservation: Read about the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s amphibian conservation ​ project in partnership with the Panamanian Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Research Project. Articles here and here. Gather evidence and do some research to discover what types ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ of amphibians are living near your home and school. Go on an amphibian hunt and take note of things that might be harming the amphibian population. Design a plan of action to protect amphibians in your community.

Answer Key:

Frog Calls

Bullfrog- Call 2 Barking Treefrog- Call 3 Eastern Narrowmouthed Toad- Call 4 Southern Chorus Frog- Call 1

Dichotomous Key

1. Leopard Frog 2. Gopher Frog 3. Green Treefrog 4. Squirrel Treefrog 5. Spring Peeper 6. Ornate Chorus Frog