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 A Little Bit MoreAlthough the Bullfrog is native to a large part of North America (east of the Rockies, as far north as Nova Scotia and as far south as Florida) it has now been exported to western North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Bullfrogs are an especially aggressive predator, they lay very large numbers of eggs, and even their young seem to be partially immune to predation due to their bad taste. As a result, the Bullfrog’s introduction into non-native areas has dramatically reduced some populations of local animals.  Bullfrog © Solon Morse Bullfrog Bullfrogs from eastern North America were transported as early as 1898 into California to provide a source of frog legs for food. Subsequent introductions have quickly spread this amphibian predator around the world. Adult Bullfrogs grow as large as 20cm (8”) in body length (not counting their legs!) and can live 4 to 5 years. Their young may remain as tadpoles for up to two years before becoming adults; the longer they wait to metamorphose, the larger they are on emerging from their immature habitat. Bullfrogs prefer still and larger bodies of water but will use small streams and wet pockets if necessary. Adults tend to remain rather quiet during the day but are active at night when the males’ “jug-o-rum” calls are often heard on warm summer evenings. If you live near water, you’re very likely to hear these frogs calling mid summer. ActivitiesScience & Geography – ImmigrantsObjectives: Use internet to answer a specific question Materials: Internet access As the unit poster points out, the Bullfrog has been exported to many different countries around the world with disastrous results. With a bit of sleuthing, you should be able to come up with a list of many of those countries. So, see if you can use the internet to find out which continents/countries around the world have Bullfrogs living within their borders. And remember, this species began as a native in the eastern 2/3 of North America. Definitionsmetamorphose: change in body form Related WebsitesDownload this Poster |