American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
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Description: Bullfrogs are large green-brown frogs. They tend to be brown with dull green earlier and later in the year. The yellow coloration that accompanies the onset of the breeding season intensifies the green on their body. Brown or gray markings are present on their back and legs. They have large eardrums and lack ridges along the length of their back. The absence of these ridges is the easiest method of differentiation from the similar looking Green frog. Their belly is creamy, or yellow. Males' throats and front legs turn from creamy to yellow in the breeding season.
Eggs: Eggs are laid in clumps, attached to aquatic vegetation. Tadpoles are quite large, feeding on both plant and animal material.
Call: A booming "Jug -a- rum" Sometimes when handled it will let out a strange squeal. When disturbed, they emit a loud squeak and jump into the water. This squeak can surprise a predator and allow the frog to escape.
Habitat: Highly aquatic, inhabiting lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and creeks. During breeding season they are seen crossing roads on rainy nights. During this migration to or from their breeding habitat, they turn up in areas such as lawns and forests where they otherwise would rarely be.
Diet: Eats fish, tadpoles, other frogs, snakes, young turtles, leeches, spiders, and insects. Anything that moves and can fit in their mouths is fair game for these large frogs, even small birds and rodents are taken on rare occasions. They sit and wait for prey, sometimes creeping up on it. Lunges suddenly and aids its attack with a sticky tongue. Bullfrogs can leap a good distance to snatch out of reach prey.
Eggs: Eggs are laid in clumps, attached to aquatic vegetation. Tadpoles are quite large, feeding on both plant and animal material.
Call: A booming "Jug -a- rum" Sometimes when handled it will let out a strange squeal. When disturbed, they emit a loud squeak and jump into the water. This squeak can surprise a predator and allow the frog to escape.
Habitat: Highly aquatic, inhabiting lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and creeks. During breeding season they are seen crossing roads on rainy nights. During this migration to or from their breeding habitat, they turn up in areas such as lawns and forests where they otherwise would rarely be.
Diet: Eats fish, tadpoles, other frogs, snakes, young turtles, leeches, spiders, and insects. Anything that moves and can fit in their mouths is fair game for these large frogs, even small birds and rodents are taken on rare occasions. They sit and wait for prey, sometimes creeping up on it. Lunges suddenly and aids its attack with a sticky tongue. Bullfrogs can leap a good distance to snatch out of reach prey.
