Northern Leopard Frog - Ecology and Behavior

Ecology and Behavior

Northern Leopard Frogs have a wide range of habitats. They are found in permanent ponds, swamps, marshes and slow moving streams throughout forest, open and urban areas. They normally inhabit water bodies with abundant aquatic vegetation. They are well adapted to cold and can be found above 3,000 m (9,800 ft) asl. Males make a short snore-like call from water during spring and summer. The northern leopard frog breeds in the spring (March–June). Up to 6500 eggs are laid in water, and tadpoles complete development within the breeding pond. Tadpoles are light brown with black spots, and development takes 70–110 days, depending on conditions. Metamorph frogs are 2–3 cm (0.79–1.2 in) and resemble the adult.

This species was once quite common through parts of western Canada and the United States until declines started occurring during the 1970s. Although the definitive cause of this decline is unknown, habitat loss and fragmentation, environmental contaminants, introduced fish, drought and disease have been proposed as mechanisms of decline and are likely preventing species recovery in many areas. Many populations of Northern Leopard Frogs have not yet recovered from these declines.

Northern Leopard Frogs are preyed upon by many different animals such as snakes, raccoons, other frogs and even humans. They do not produce distasteful skin secretions and rely on speed to evade predation.

They eat a wide variety of animals including crickets, flies, worms, and smaller frogs. Using their large mouths, they can even swallow birds and garter snakes. This species is similar to the Pickerel frog (Rana palustris) and the Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala).