The Wood Frog, (Rana sylvatica), is frequently seen in moist valleys in the Zoological Park, where its chocolate brown back so closely matches the color of the dead leaves and moist earth; it is difficult to find, save when it takes one of its flying leaps. The specimens shown were taken near the Beaver Pond.
The Tree Frog, (Hyla pickeringi), is the commonest of the queer little tree-loving species which are so easy to hear, and so difficult to find. In spring their voices are the first to be heard in the swamps. The Zoological Park is full of Hylas, and their cheerful piping is heard at all seasons, especially in dry midsummer, when dark storm-clouds gather and promise rain.
The Common Toad, (Bufo lentiginosus), is found in the Zoological Park, though not in such abundance as the two preceding species.
Among the most remarkable creatures in the Reptile House are the specimens of Smooth-Clawed Frog, (Xenopus laevis), from Africa and The Surinam Toad, (Pipa americana). Both of these species are strictly aquatic and have broadly palmated hind feet. The Surinam Toad comes from Dutch Guiana. It is unique in its breeding habits. The male collects the eggs and places them on the female’s back where they are engulfed in large folds of the skin, which form cells in which the metamorphosis occurs.
The Spotted Salamander, (Salamandra maculosa), because of its broad, bright yellow bands and blotches, laid on a rich, dark-brown body color, is one of the most showy of all Amphibians. It comes from Europe, and being much prized in collections, it frequently passes through the hands of dealers in reptiles. Its skin is very moist and clammy, which gives the creature the appearance of having been varnished. This is the creature which is supposed to be able to withstand fire—a belief which is purely imaginative.
The Tiger Salamander or Axolotl, (Amblystoma tigrinum), is a widely different creature from the preceding. It is found throughout the greater portion of the North American continent, and as far south as Central Mexico. Thirteen other species of the genus Amblystoma are found in North America and Mexico. In the matter of “harmonizing with environment,” the Amblystoma is one of the most remarkable creatures in existence. In its larval stage (corresponding with the tadpole stage of a frog), this animal possesses external gills, red and sponge-like in appearance, and its tail has a fin-like edge above and below, like the tail of an eel.
METAMORPHOSIS OF THE LEOPARD FROG.
So long as this larval creature remains in water, its external gills remain and do duty, and the larval stage continues indefinitely. Remove it from water, or let its home pool dry up, and, presto! its gills dry up, its tail loses its fin-like edges, and the creature goes about on land, breathing air instead of water, with lungs instead of gills.
The “Water-Dog” or “Hellbender,” (Cryptobranchus allegheniensis), is a salamander-like amphibian, from 18 to 22 inches long when adult, found more frequently in Pennsylvania than elsewhere. They are said to be very tenacious of life, and voracious in their food habits, feeding on worms, minnows and crayfish, and often taking the hook of the fisherman in quest of that most repulsive of all American fishes, the cat-fish. Between cat-fish and water-dog there would seem to be small choice. Mr. William Frear offers this testimony in regard to the tenacity of life of this creature: