Say, what?

"While many human choral concerts have been cancelled in recent weeks, the ones provided by wetlands and vernal pools go on. In my neighborhood, the rehearsals began about 10 days ago, with full daytime performances starting last weekend, with the night time ones following a day later: wood frogs by day, peepers by night.

"For many of us the chirps of the spring peepers are one of the first signs that spring is truly here to stay. While peepers may be the most familiar of all 'singing' frogs, they are part of a much larger group known as 'chorus frogs.'"

Carol explains that peepers (formally pseudacris crucifer) are native to the eastern half of North America. Pseudacris comes from the Greek pseudes (false) and akris (locust), while crucifer, from Latin, refers to the cross-shape on the frog's back. (Who knew??)

Wood frogs, or  Lithobates Sylvaticus, the daytime choristers, are found in the US throughout the forests of Alaska and the Northeast, Carol says. "Did you know that wood frogs can recognize their family? When many tadpoles are in the same place, siblings seek each other out and group together."

Lithobates is Greek, Litho means "a stone," bates means "one that walks or haunts." Sylvaticus is Latin meaning "amidst the trees." Once mating season is done, these frogs prefer solitary life in the woods, says Carol, who offers the  peeper track and  wood frog track. Hear the difference?