Lithobates pipiens
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Amphibia |
| Order: Anura |
| Family: Ranidae |
| Genus: Lithobates |
| Species: Lithobates pipiens |
Conservation Status
Identifying Features
Northern leopard frogs are typically a green-brown color, with dark circular spots that are lined with light edges. They have light colored ridges that run along the back and eyes that contain a golden iris. They grow up to 2-5 inches in length and have a slender head and webbed toes.
Habitat & Range
Northern leopard frogs live in ponds, marshes, open areas, and moist vegetation throughout most of Canada and the United States.
Behavior
Northern leopard frogs are solitary except during breeding season. During this season, they will migrate to breeding ponds in large numbers and become active at night. Outside of breeding season, they are most active during the day to forage.
Life Cycle
In the spring, northern leopard frogs gather at communal breeding ponds. Males will call out to females to look for potential mates. After a successful mating, females will lay clusters of hundreds of eggs in the water. From there, tadpoles will hatch in about a week and transition into frogs around 3 months after.
Featured image by James Dake