Screaming spadefoot

[LeilaNami]

Okay so I know the frog was scared...but I couldn't but daaaaaaw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=948rhsRvIkw&feature=PlayList&p=3F390FC4BEC06C78&playnext=1&index=27

(couldn't figure out how to embed)

 

[UrbanJungles]

Never fails to amuse me when frogs do this...here's your video.

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[ballpython2]

this in the hobby?
what is it exactly?

 

[P. Novak]

this in the hobby?
what is it exactly?

haha Exactly my thoughts! Anyone know what it is?

 

[ballpython2]

haha Exactly my thoughts! Anyone know what it is?

LOL P in the TITLE of the thread it says spadefoot..But i think you and i both are looking for the scientific name

Also if this frogs only predatory defense against becoming food is to "Scream" what effect would this have on animals that eat frogs but have no ears? like birds and reptiles???

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Birds have ears. As do most reptiles other than snakes, I think. They just don't have external ears that are readily apparent like mammals do.

 

[UrbanJungles]

I'm not sure if it's a spadefoot for sure (can't tell by the video) but they are seasonally common in the pet trade. They are the amphibian equivalent to a pet hole....they like to dig.

Anyhow, this defense is shared by many North American frogs, Bullfrogs being one of the most commonly encountered "screamers". Bullfrogs sound like someone stepped on a cat when they scream and for vertebrate predators it's a very effective startle defense. This in combination with foul tasting excretions (toxic on some levels) is usually effective. If a predator goes to bite and pulls away or drops you after you scream, it allows for the skin toxins to register and maybe change the predator's mind about this foul tasting, scary sounding potential meal.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Interestingly, when confronted by something I perceive as a threat and/or startles me, I scream like a girl and wet myself. This deters many predators, but I don't get invited to many parties.

 

[UrbanJungles]

Interestingly, when confronted by something I perceive as a threat and/or startles me, I scream like a girl and wet myself. This deters many predators, but I don't get invited to many parties.

Yeah, as a kid I collected my first bullfrog and placed it into a pillowcase to transport home. When the bag began to emanate this growing growl which quickly escalated to a scream, I dropped the bag for a second and have to admit I was very confused. I knew there was a frog in there but I never expected THAT. So the defense is obviously very effective (if you can hear, as was pointed out earlier).

 

[calum]

lmao! that is hilarious... sounds like a guy just after he's been kicked in the nuts REALLY hard.

 

[LeilaNami]

The person that posted the video stated it was a common spadefoot also known as European spadefoot. Never listed the scientific name.

EDIT: Found iiiiiit: Pelobates fuscus