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RANA PIPIENS
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| COMMON NAME: Northern Leopard Frog
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rana pipiens
STATUS: Federal- Species of Concern (USFWS),
Sensitive (USFS, R2); Idaho- Species of special concern
RANKING: Global- Secure; Idaho- Vulnerable
FOREST PRESENT: Caribou, Dixie, Fishlake,
Humboldt-Toiyabe, Manti-LaSal, Uinta, Wasatch-Cache
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DESCRIPTION: The Northern Leopard Frog is slender with well-defined, halo bordered round or oval shaped dark spots on its dorsal surface. Adults are normally between 2 1/2 and 5 inches in length. It occurs in two color phases, brown and green. The dorsolateral ridges are well-defined, light colored, continuous to the groin and do not angle inward. The ventral surface is white or cream colored. A white striped is present on the upper jaw. During the breeding season, adult males have swollen dark thumb bases and many have vestigial oviducts.
LIFE HISTORY: The Northern Leopard
Frog frequents a wide variety of habitats from low elevation grasslands
to high mountainous locations. It is the most cold tolerant of all
the Leopard Frogs and has been found up to 11,000 feet in elevation.
The Northern Leopard frog prefers areas with permanent water and aquatic vegetation such as cattails. It can be found in and near marshes, canals, reservoirs, lakes, bogs and ponds. In damp vegetation, it may venture far from water. It may also be found in brackish water.
This frog is an excellent jumper and when surprised, will
zigzag leap back to water. It is primarily nocturnal.
BREEDING: Northern Leopard Frog breed from March to June. Several females may deposit their sphere shaped egg masses in the same area. Egg clusters are firm, 2 to 6 inches wide and contain up to 6,500 eggs. They are normally deposited in shallow, non-flowing water and are attached to vegetation. Eggs hatch in 4-15 day and metamorphosis occurs in one half to two months.
DIET: The larvae feed on algae,
organic debris, plant tissue and small invertebrates. Adults eat
a variety of insects, invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates
such as snakes, tadpoles and fish.
VOICE: The call is snore like rattle
that is interspersed with a sound like that made by rubbing an inflated
balloon. The calls are made during the day and night. If you
would like to listen to the CALL
of the Northern Leopard Frog WITH
SHORT DESCRIPTION.
USDA,
Forest Service
Federal
Building
324
25th Street
Ogden,
Utah 84401