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| At 10-20 cm, this is Algonquin Highlands’ largest frog. Bullfrogs are green or greenish brown. There is a fold extending from the rear edge of the eye down over the eardrum. Male Bullfrogs have yellow throats, especially in summer. The eardrum is twice as large as the eye on males and the same size as the eye on females. their hind feet are fully webbed except for last joint of longest toe. Young Bullfrogs have small black spots on their green backs. Bullfrogs prefer the edges of lakes, bays, large beaver ponds, and mouths of slow-moving rivers, providing them with sufficient vegetation for easy cover. Deep, permanent bodies of water are necessary because the tadpole spends the winter in the water. Bullfrog’s usual diet includes insects, crayfish, other frogs, and minnows. Although active in May, male Bullfrogs establish their territory in June or July. Their deep, booming calls sound like "Jug O'Rum", "Jug O'Rum", "Jug O'Rum" to attract females to good breeding locations. Eggs are laid in large floating masses. Tadpoles spend the winter in the water, and transform the following summer. There has been a decline in bullfrog populations over the past fifteen years. They have been harvested for sale of their legs to restaurants, but the causes of their widespread decline is not yet determined. |
(Family Ranidea)
Rana catesbeiana
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