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Northern Leopard Frog

Rana pipiens

Published on Project Noah
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45.8278, -92.6633

Field Notes

Description:

The northern leopard frog is either green or brown with dark spots on legs and back (hence its name). Body length is up to 4".

Habitat:

Breeds in wetlands and ponds and hibernates on the bottom of wetlands and ponds. Is often found in uplands and forest edges much of the rest of the year, where it feeds on terrestrial insects. It may be found up to two miles away from water.

Notes:

The original photo I had put here was not a very good photo as it showed a brown frog that had few of the distinctive dark spots on its legs and back, so I've removed it and added a photo of a different northern leopard frog that has more typical coloration taken on the same day at the same location. The original photo showed what may have been a local variation called a "Burn's Leopard Frog" that lacks most spotting.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)

You are completely correct. I had misidentified it in my photo catalog and didn't take the time to look at it again before posting. Thanks for noting that. I do remember this individual; it was easily the largest frog I'd ever seen--a real monster. I'll make the change this weekend as I've got to leave for work this morning.
That frog has a pronounced dorsolateral fold, more characteristic of Leopard Frogs than Bullfrogs.
Photographed
PublishedApril 23, 2010

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