Animal Profiles
Amphibians

Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The American bullfrog is a large frog that waits near water for passing prey. Its tadpoles and adults use different food resources.

Lithobates catesbeianus

Carl D. Howe · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Native to eastern North America and introduced elsewhere, especially around ponds and other still water.
Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Wetlands
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Insects, worms, aquatic animals and small vertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Bullfrog
Browse group
Amphibians
Scientific name or taxon
Lithobates catesbeianus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Anura
Family
Ranidae
Genus
Lithobates
Source classification
Amphibia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Length
9 to 15.2 cm typical adult length

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • Adults can eat smaller frogs.
  • Tadpoles mainly graze on aquatic plants.
  • The large eardrum is visible behind each eye.

Habitat and range

Native to eastern North America and introduced elsewhere, especially around ponds and other still water.

Appearance and adaptations

Body colour ranges from green to brown. Large external eardrums sit behind the eyes, and the hind feet are fully webbed.

Diet and behaviour

Adults ambush animals they can swallow, including other frogs. Tadpoles mostly graze on aquatic plants. Activity increases in warm, moist weather.

Sources

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