American Bullfrog (Frog/Toad Species of the Hampton Roads Area)

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Summary ⁵

The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus or Rana catesbeiana), often simply known as the bullfrog in Canada and the United States, is an amphibious frog, a member of the family Ranidae, or “true frogs”. It is a carnivore, and the average life span for life in the wild is 7 to 9 years. Their size is relative to a teacup. Lithobates comes from Greek, Litho meaning "A stone", bates meaning "One that walks or haunts."

Physical Description ⁶

This frog has an olive green back and sides blotched with brownish markings and a whitish belly spotted with yellow or grey. The upper lip is often bright green and males have yellow throats. The average length is 3.5 to 6 inches. Bullfrogs are typically green or gray-brown with brown spots and have easily identifiable circular eardrums, or tympanum, on either side of their heads. Their hind feet are fully webbed. Life expectancy for female frogs in a study in Michigan was found to be 4 years. The longevity record for a specimen in captivity was 16 years. Larval survivorship is typically less than 18%

Reproduction ⁷

Females lay thousands of eggs (as many as 20,000) during the summer breeding season. In the southern part of a bullfrog’s range, metamorphosis can take as few as 79 days. While in the colder, northern part of their range it can take two to three years. This species breeds from the late spring to early fall. Mating success is influenced by the quality of the territory. The male breeding call is a deep, full series of notes. Females lay one or two clutches per season. Clutches are laid in a film on the water surface. Eggs hatch in approximately 5 days. Tadpoles can be very large, 125-150 mm. This species typically reaches sexual maturity one year after metamorphosis.. In mountain localities, transformation may take 2 years.

Habitat ⁶

It inhabits large, permanent water bodies, such as swamps. This species requires medium to large permanent bodies of water to meet their one to two year early developmental period. Clutches of eggs are laid in still shallow water. Bullfrogs are prized for the meat of their hind legs, and the demand for frog legs has even led to the deliberate introduction of this species to waters both in the U.S. and abroad. It is usually found in aquatic vegetation or snags in which it can hide.

https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/frogsandtoads/american-bullfrog/american_bullfrog.php
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/a/american-bullfrog/
https://www.aqua.org/Experience/Animal-Index/american-bullfrog

Behavior ⁸

This is a wary and solitary species that prefers large ponds, lakes, and still portions of streams. Males of this species defend territories typically within vegetated areas of ponds. Defending behaviors include encounter calls, postural displays, chasing the intruder, and combat. Size and age strongly determine territory success. This is a voracious predator feeding on insects, crayfish, small mammals, snakes and other frogs. Experiments have demonstrated that this species has the ability to orient to stellar patterns or the moon .

Sources and Credits

(c) copepodo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/63661371@N00/2838159004
(c) Kenneth Lu, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/toasty/36374209516/
(c) Kyle Hartshorn, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/kylehartshorn/14200183640/
(c) Carlos De Soto Molinari, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/cdesoto/13984158372/
Adapted by TaelorJones from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithobates_catesbeianus
Adapted by colbyb from a work by (c) TaelorJones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
(c) TaelorJones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
(c) colbyb, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNat Map

‹ › ×