Lowland Leopard Frog (Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish of the Kaibab National Forest)

Lowland Leopard Frog

Lithobates yavapaiensis

Summary ⁶

The Lowland Leopard Frog, (Lithobates yavapaiensis), is a species of frog in the Ranidae family that is found in Mexico and the United States; in Spanish it is known as rana de Yavapai. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater lakes, and freshwater marshes. It is not considered threatened by the IUCN.

Taxon biology ⁷

The lowland leopard frog is a relatively small leopard frog - maximum length is about 3.4 inches. It is distinguished from other Arizona leopard frogs by a combination of characters, including dorsolateral folds that are broken and inset towards the rear, a dark brown and tight reticulate pattern on the rear of the thigh, and usually no spots on the snout. Adult males lack prominent vocal sacs. This is typically a brown frog, although some are green, particularly on the head. There is often a yellowish wash to the groin area. Compared to other leopard frogs, the tadpoles are relatively dark, mottled, and stocky. They are similar to Chiricahua leopard frog tadpoles, but browner with a shallower tail. Tadpoles grow to > 3 inches. The lowland leopard frog is very similar to the relict leopard frog; the two may be the same species. The lowland leopard frog presumably feeds upon a wide variety of invertebrates as well as some small vertebrates.