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Cool Links: Southern Leopard Frog - This site shows the ecological relationships between the frogs and the plants and other animals in its habitat via links to their species profiles. Great photos and audio files of calls and ecology lesson plans. Frogwatch USA - Help scientists conserve frogs and toads by becoming a Frogwatcher.
back to Nature Notebook photo: Paris Trail |
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If
you’re walking by a pond this spring in the southeast, notice
the frogs that leap into the water when startled and make a sharp turn,
resurfacing in vegetation near the water's edge— they’re
probably Southern Leopard Frogs. The two-to three-inch frogs don’t
mind being on land and the adults may travel far from water looking
for food. Tadpoles emerge in winter and spring, so be on the lookout
for these critters, which can live any place with clean water, including
cities. You might hear male Southern Leopard Frogs send out a mating
call that sounds a lot like rubbing an inflated balloon. These jumpy
amphibians are named for the round, brown spots all over their backs
and legs.