NPS Photo
Skin green to brown in color. Large dark spots on back between light dorsolateral ridges that are continuous to groin. Light stripe along upper jaw. Slender, narrow head. Large tympanum, often with light spot in the center. Size5.1 to 12.7 cm long (2" to 5") Similar SpeciesThe Pickerel Frog, Lithobates palustris, has square shaped dark spots and bright yellow or orange coloration on the concealed portion of hind legs. Gopher Frogs, R. capito, have more rounded snouts and fatter, chunkier bodies. Range is one of the best distinctions between this and the Northern Leopard Frog, Lithobates pipiens, Plains Leopard Frog, Lithobates blairi, and Rio Grande Leopard Frog, Lithobatess berlandieri. However, where ranges overlap characteristics of the other species should be checked. ReproductionBreeds year-round. HabitatUses moist vegetation near a freshwater source during the summer. May be found near freshwater marshes, streams, ponds or brackish marshes the rest of the year. BehaviorPrimarily nocturnal. Evades predators by diving into water and making a sharp turn before surfacing amid vegetation near water's edge. VoiceCall is described as a series of short throaty croaks or a short guttural trill that sounds chuckle-like. The trill pulse rate is typically fewer than 13 per second. Males may call while floating in water or from land. Return to Frogs and Toads |
Last updated: March 12, 2019