Green frogs (Lithobates clamitans) are a very common frog species found mostly in the eastern half of the Unit-ed States and up into Cana-da. They average about three to five inches in length and, as their name implies, they are usually green in color. However, they can also be brown, greenish brown, yellowish green, olive and in rare cases, blue. Their chest, which is typical-ly brighter than the rest of their body, displays an array of small black spots which is unique to each frog. There is a large visible circle below their eye, called the tympa-num, and it is used for hear-ing. Males have a slightly larger tympanum than fe-males and also have a bright yellow throat. Their toes are connected with webbed tis-sue and their first fingers do not extend past their second fingers like in some frog species. Green frogs can be found in aquatic habitats such as wooded swamps, ponds, lakes, marshes, bogs and riverbanks. During the win-ter months, they bury them-selves in the mud at the bot-tom of a water body and hibernate until it becomes warmer. They are opportun-istic predators, meaning they

will eat any reasonably-sized prey that comes into their reach. Typical prey items are things like slugs, snails, crayfish, spiders, flies, cater-pillars, butterflies and moths. Younger frogs and tadpoles will usually stick to smaller organisms such as diatoms, algae and zooplankton. Most green frogs can be both active during the day and night. They are mostly solitary animals, only coming together in large groups to breed. To communicate, they use about six different voice calls, each with its own purpose and meaning. “Advertisement calls” are given by males during the breeding season to try and attract a mate. Male frogs will also use aggressive grunts and growls to scare off other males encroaching on their territory. Females use a “release call” to let a male know that they’re not interested in breeding. Males will also use this same call if they are accidentally grabbed by another breeding male. And finally, there is an “alert call” given by both sexes when they’re being attacked by a predator. Breeding between green frogs begins in late spring and the season usually lasts

about one to three months. Male frogs will find and set up a breeding territory and remain there until the breed-ing season is over. Once a breeding territory is estab-lished, males will sing from it regularly, hoping to attract a female. Females will choose a male based on how good a territory he’s claimed. Once a female chooses, the two frogs will mate and any-where from 1,000 to 7,000 eggs will be laid. After three to seven days, the eggs will hatch into tadpoles and begin their development into becoming full grown adult green frogs. The NEW Zoo’s green frog, Bizmaroon, can be seen up at the Riley Building, near where the moose lives. Bizmaroon shares an exhibit with the American bullfrogs – so look closely to spot the differences between the spe-cies next time you’re here! Article contributed by NEW Zoo Intern Missy Homan. Sources include: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Lithobates_clamitans_clamitans/; http://www.biokids.umich.edu/critters/hobates_clamitans_clamitans/

Spotlight on: the Green Frog

The June 2014 Paws & Claws Gift

Shop Special is:

10% off all ALLIGATOR items

Conservation Connection: Hope for Red Wolves 2

N.E.W. Zoological Society News 3

Upcoming Events & Things to Remember 4

Inside this issue:

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Issue 75

JUNE 2014

Photo by Garth Seehawer

North America is home to two species of wolves; the gray and the red. The red wolf is one of the world’s most endangered wild canids. Once common throughout the southeastern United States, red wolf populations were decimated by the 1960’s due to intensive predator control pro-grams and loss of habitat. Red wolves are social animals that live in packs consisting of a breeding adult pair and their offspring of different years, typi-cally five to eight animals in total. They prey on a variety of wild mammals, such as raccoon, rabbit, white-tailed deer, nutria, and other rodents. Most active at dusk and dawn, red wolves are elusive and generally avoid humans and human activity, After being declared an endan-gered species in 1973, efforts were initiat-ed to locate and capture as many wild red wolves as possible. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established a captive breeding program for the red wolf and biologists began to remove remaining red wolves from the wild in an effort to save the species from extinction. Over a period of six years, more than 400 wolf-like canids were captured in Louisiana and Texas, but of this number, only 43 were considered to be purebred red wolves and were therefore placed in captivity. Further breeding experiments and blood tests re-vealed that only 17 of those 43 were true red wolves. (The other individuals were determined to be other species of canine – OR they were the result of red wolves that had bred with other species, such as coy-otes. This means they were not purebred red wolves, but instead “hybrid” animals.) Only 14 of these original 17 animals suc-cessfully bred in captivity. By 1980, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service declared red wolves extinct in the wild, or “extirpated.” All remaining individuals left in the population were in captivity. By 1987, enough red wolves were bred in captivity to begin a restoration program. Today, an estimated 90 to 110 red wolves roam the wilds of northeastern North Carolina, and another 178 comprise the captive breeding program, still an essential element of red wolf recovery. Interbreed-

ing with coyotes has been recognized as the most significant and detrimental threat affecting recovery of red wolves in their native habitat. Currently, adaptive manage-ment efforts are making good progress in reducing the threat of coyotes while build-ing the wild red wolf population. The red wolves at the NEW Zoo & Ad-venture Park recently did their part to help their struggling species survive: it was dis-covered on May 22nd that they became the proud parents of six newborn puppies! Four males and two females were born to our adult female, Mayo, and her mate, Tamaska. Mayo (pronounced MY-oh) was born on May 5th of 2009 and arrived here in October of 2013. Tamaska was born April 30 of 2006 and came to live at the zoo in December of 2012. Both wolves have had litters with previous mates, so we are confident in their parenting abilities. The newborn pups will likely stay with their parents for at least their first year, or until the SSP (Species Survival Plan) makes recommendations for their new homes to help further propagate their species. We are hopeful that by July, the puppies will start coming out of their den box to explore their exhibit. Be sure to stop by to view these very adorable, very important new additions to the NEW Zoo & Adventure Park family.

Article contributed by Educator Dustin Herrmann. Sources include: http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/3747/0

Page 2

Conservation Connection: Hope for Red Wolves

T HE WI L DTI ME S

The pups are quite comfortable in their den box, getting plenty of attention from mom!

There will be very little “lounging around” anymore, now that our red wolves are busy being such good parents, raising a litter of six!

The pups were briefly examined by our Veterinarian shortly after their birth to ensure they were growing well. The vet was happy to report that all six had very full, fat tummies, meaning they are getting plenty of milk from

mom, Mayo!

Photo by Garth Seehawer

Page 3

N.E.W. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY JUNE SPECIALSN.E.W. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY JUNE SPECIALSN.E.W. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY JUNE SPECIALSN.E.W. ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY JUNE SPECIALS

Month of June…Dads Are Amazing Too Specials!Month of June…Dads Are Amazing Too Specials!Month of June…Dads Are Amazing Too Specials!Month of June…Dads Are Amazing Too Specials!

Be one of the first to purchase our new hand-carved “Granite Garden Bench” in honor of that special man in your life. This 39”W x 15”D x 18”H has a polished seat with a natural rock face finish. The

cost of this bench includes 15 letters engraved on the seat. The bench colors vary due to availability. This bench will be placed at the zoo, in the area of your choice, with the approval of the Zoo Director.

Cost ~$1200.00

~OR~

Purchase an 8x8 laser-engraved brick for $175.00 and we will throw in a clipart for FREE! That is a $75.00 value. This brick includes up to 6 lines of type and will be placed in a large stainless steel

frame located in front of the Penguin Exhibit.

We all have special men in our lives that deserve to be celebrated. Let them know how you feel by

saying it on a brick or bench for the world to see while helping us support our NEW Zoo!

Happy Father’s Day!Happy Father’s Day!Happy Father’s Day!Happy Father’s Day!

Please write “June Special” on the brick order form to receive the special offer. Contact the Society Please write “June Special” on the brick order form to receive the special offer. Contact the Society Please write “June Special” on the brick order form to receive the special offer. Contact the Society Please write “June Special” on the brick order form to receive the special offer. Contact the Society

at 920at 920at 920at 920----434434434434----6814 or visit newzoo.org/Zoological Society/Brick Program to obtain an order form.6814 or visit newzoo.org/Zoological Society/Brick Program to obtain an order form.6814 or visit newzoo.org/Zoological Society/Brick Program to obtain an order form.6814 or visit newzoo.org/Zoological Society/Brick Program to obtain an order form.

Save the Date!Save the Date!Save the Date!Save the Date!

Pioneer & Capital Credit UnionPioneer & Capital Credit UnionPioneer & Capital Credit UnionPioneer & Capital Credit Union

Proudly Present theProudly Present theProudly Present theProudly Present the

15151515thththth Annual Annual Annual Annual

“Feast with the Beasts”“Feast with the Beasts”“Feast with the Beasts”“Feast with the Beasts”

Event held at the NEW Zoo on Event held at the NEW Zoo on Event held at the NEW Zoo on Event held at the NEW Zoo on

Monday, August 4Monday, August 4Monday, August 4Monday, August 4thththth

6pm until 8pm6pm until 8pm6pm until 8pm6pm until 8pm

Take in the sights and sounds while tasting some of the finest food and beverages from local favor-Take in the sights and sounds while tasting some of the finest food and beverages from local favor-Take in the sights and sounds while tasting some of the finest food and beverages from local favor-Take in the sights and sounds while tasting some of the finest food and beverages from local favor-ites. Call 434ites. Call 434ites. Call 434ites. Call 434----6814 for ticket information. Tickets are limited. This is one event you don’t want to 6814 for ticket information. Tickets are limited. This is one event you don’t want to 6814 for ticket information. Tickets are limited. This is one event you don’t want to 6814 for ticket information. Tickets are limited. This is one event you don’t want to

miss! Proceeds from this event benefit educational programs.miss! Proceeds from this event benefit educational programs.miss! Proceeds from this event benefit educational programs.miss! Proceeds from this event benefit educational programs.

Hosted by the N.E.W. Zoological Society, Inc. and the Wisconsin Restaurant AssociationHosted by the N.E.W. Zoological Society, Inc. and the Wisconsin Restaurant AssociationHosted by the N.E.W. Zoological Society, Inc. and the Wisconsin Restaurant AssociationHosted by the N.E.W. Zoological Society, Inc. and the Wisconsin Restaurant Association

N.E.W. Zoological Society News

Your NEW Zoo is an always new, natural adventure that promotes

recreation, education, and conservation through

encounters with live animals.

Want to know more about the

WildTimes? Have a suggestion for an

article you would like to see? Or would you like to submit an article?

Contact the Editor, Angela,

at 920-662-2405 or through email, at

education@newzoo.org!

We are your only AZA Accredited Zoo in Northeastern Wisconsin.

4378 Reforestation Road Green Bay, WI 54313

NEW ZOO & ADVENTU RE PARK

June 7th

• Girl Scout Day and World Oceans Day Event. Activities from 9am to 2pm. Free with Admission.

June 15th

• Father’s Day. 9am to 8pm. Dads & Granddads receive FREE admission to the NEW Zoo.

July 4th

• Independence Day. We are open 9am to 8pm! Adventure Park opens at 10am.

July 7th through 25th, Mondays through Fridays

• Summer Zoo Camp. 8:45am to 2pm daily. Limited spaces remain and registration is required. Email education@newzoo.org or call 920-662-2405 to register your child(ren)!

Remember SUMMER Hours began JUNE 1st!

We are open DAILY from 9am to 8pm

Upcoming Events & Things to Remember

Phone: 920-434-7841 Fax: 920-434-4162

E-mail: info@newzoo.org OR education@newzoo.org

There’s always something new at YOUR NEW Zoo.

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