Southern Leopard Frog
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| Lithobates sphenocephalus (Cope, 1886) |
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The Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus[1][2], previously Rana sphenocephala) is a species of mostly aquatic true frog, found in the south-eastern third of the United States. There are two accepted subspecies.
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[edit] Physical description
The Southern Leopard Frog is generally green or light brown in color, with dark brown or black blotching (that is the origin of their common name). They grow to 3½ inches (90 mm) in length and have a pointed snout.
[edit] Ecology and behavior
This species prefers shallow, freshwater habitats, such as streams, ponds or lakes, with plenty of vegetation for camouflage. They are mostly nocturnal, and carnivorous, consuming almost any kind of insect they can catch and fit in their mouth, including earthworms, spiders and centipedes. They are excellent jumpers, and typically escape predation by leaping into the water and swimming to the bottom. Breeding occurs year around, as long as the temperature permits. Eggs are laid in a clutch of several hundred at the bottom of shallow water. Tadpoles hatch and remain in the fully aquatic form for approximately 90 days, feeding on algae and rotting plant matter.
[edit] Subspecies
- Florida Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus sphenocephalus (Cope, 1886)
- Southern Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus utricularia (Harlan, 1825)
[edit] References
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. 2006. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 4 (17 August 2006). Electronic Database accessible at http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA.
- ^ Frost et al. 2006. The amphibian tree of life. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. Number 297. New York. Issued March 15, 2006.
- Hammerson & Hedges (2004). Rana sphenocephala. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- Frogs & Toads of Georgia: Southern Leopard Frog
- Herps of Texas: Rana sphenocephala
- Study of Northern Virginia Ecology: Southern Leopard Frog
