Northern Leopard Frog

Lithobates pipiens

by: Galen Hand

Classification

Kingdom: Anamalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Lithobates
Species: L. pipiens

Physical Description

The Northern Leopard Frog is about 11 centimeters long and is a pretty large frog. It varies from green to brown in dorsal color with large, dark, circular spots on their backsides and legs. Each spot is bordered with a lighter ring. A pair of dorsolateral folds starting from the back of the eye run parallel to each other down the back. Their toes are webbed.

Diet and Feeding Habit

Tadpoles eat plants, algae, some dead tadpoles or other small dead invertebrates. Adults eat almost anything they can catch including insects, other invertebrates, and small vertebrates, such as mice and fish.

Reproduction

Through the Spring and Summer males make a short, snort-like call. Up to 3,000 eggs are laid in water by the female, and tadpoles complete development within the breeding pond. Tadpoles are light brown with black spots, and develop in 70-110 days, depending on conditions.

Habitat

The northern leopard frog lives in a lot of different places. They are found in permanent ponds, swamps, marshes and slow-moving streams throughout forest, open and urban areas.

Role in the Ecosystem

Northern Leopard Frogs are well adapted to cold and can be found over 3,000 meters above sea level. They are preyed upon by many different animals such as snakes, raccoons, other frogs and even humans. They do not produce distasteful skin secretions and rely on speed to evade predatation. They are also carnivores.

Bibliography

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Leopard_Frog#Physical_description
Version 4 (17 August 2006). Frost, Darrel R

http://raysweb.net/specialplaces/pages/frog.html