Toes of hind feet have thick web extending to tips of all but fourth toe, external eardrum apparent. Olive to brown to nearly black, often with two irregular light or yellowish lines, originating at each eye and running down back, may be a rough hourglass shape. Underside white to grayish. Sounds like a coarse, low-pitched complaint of a young crow. May be heard for a half mile.
Males call both day and night usually as they lie floating at the water surface.
The southern third of Indiana. Occur in flood plains of lower Wabash and White rivers and in barrens or relict prairies of Harrison County. DIET Eats invertebrates such as beetles, crickets, caterpillars, spiders and snails. Hatching occurs in 24-72 hours in hot summer weather or up to one week. The color is dark brown on top with bronzy iridescence, finely dotted with orange that continues as a stripe onto tail, tail fins transparent with narrow, dark rims.