The pickerel frog is primarily terrestrial, spending most of its time on land even during the breeding season. It will, however, take to the water to thermoregulate. The pickerel frog will also enter the water to avoid predators, such as birds and snakes (2). Like many amphibians, the pickerel frog can protect itself further by producing toxic, irritating skin secretions which are distasteful to many predators (2) (3). (2).
The majority of the pickerel frog’s prey is captured on land, with its diet consisting of small invertebrates, such as beetles, caterpillars, ants and spiders. In the water, the pickerel frog will forage for a variety of prey, including snails, crayfish and small amphibians (2).
The pickerel frog hibernates from October to March or April. The breeding season begins once the pickerel frog emerges in early spring, usually after heavy rainfall. At its breeding sites, this species is usually gregarious, gathering in large groups in the water. The male pickerel frog initiates courtship by giving a series of low-pitched calls, often while submerged (2).
The female pickerel frog lays a cluster of 2,000 to 3,000 eggs, which are attached to submerged aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch after about 2 weeks, and the tadpoles complete metamorphosis and develop into young frogs within 8 to 11 weeks (5) (6). This species become reproductively mature at between two and three years old (5) (6).