Plains Leopard Frog

Recognition: Dorsum brown, with large rounded or oval dark spots that usually have a light border; skin somewhat rough or nodulated; eardrum usually with distinct light spot; dorsolateral folds inset toward midline on rump; hind toes with extensive webbing; rear of thigh with dark reticulation; vestigial oviducts absent in male (dissection required). Mature male: base of innermost digit on forefeet swollen during breeding season; expanded vocal sacs, one on each side, extend above forelimbs; breeding call a series of short “clucks” followed by a few low chuckling or grunting sounds, together lasting usually less than two seconds. Larvae: dorsum brown, olive, or gray, paler than northern leopard frog; dorsal spots circular and rear surface of thighs with transverse dark bars near metamorphosis (Post and Pettus 1966; Dunlap and Kruse 1976); snout rounded in dorsal view; oral disc subterminal (Korky 1978); eyes dorsal, iris medium-gold, with no dorsal or ventral dark spots (Scott and Jennings 1985).