NPS Photo
Skin green, bronze or brown with dorsolateral ridges that stop before the groin. May have numerous dark brown or grayish spots or blotches along back. Belly whitish, often with darker spots or lines under head and legs. Large tympanum with elevated center. Upper lip typically green. Male has yellow throat and larger thumbs. Tympanum of males is larger than the size of the eye. Size5.4 to 10.8 cm long (2" to 4 ¼") Similar SpeciesThe Bronze Frog, Lithobates clamitans clamitans, a subspecies tends to be darker (bronze-ish) in color and has a more restricted range (from the Carolinas south to central Florida, through the Gulf Coast states, and as far west as eastern Texas and southern Arkansas). The American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeiana, has no dorsolateral ridges. The upper lip of the Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephala, and the Pickerel Frog, Lithobates palustris, has a light line and these frogs also have dorsolateral ridges that extend all the way to the groin. In the northern part of its range this frog may strongly resemble the Mink Frog, Lithobates septentrionalis. ReproductionBreeds March to August. HabitatLives in shallow water bodies, often with debris or fallen trees nearby; edges of ponds, lakes, swamps, brooks, springs, etc. BehaviorPrimarily nocturnal. VoiceCall is either a single note or may be repeated three or four times at progressively quieter notes. Call described as sounding like a loose banjo string. Two vocal sacs are not evident externally but when calling the sides and throat of the frog expand noticeably. Return to Frogs and Toads |
Last updated: March 12, 2019