A Little Bit More
The 5 different species of Leopard frogs are some of the most common frogs across North America. It’s interesting to note that their 5 ranges (see the ranges of the species on the unit mini-poster) overlap very little across the continent. As the poster points out, although we associate frogs with stream and pond habitats, these frogs are often seen quite a distance from standing water in a variety of locations as long as they provide adequate moisture and shelter. No wonder these frogs are often called, “Meadow or Grass Frogs” by many people.
In spring, adult Leopard Frogs move to standing bodies of water to reproduce and their mating calls are often heard in the evening hours. Leopard frogs are mostly nocturnal (active at night) amphibians, so remain quiet during daylight hours when you’re out and about and most likely to see them.
Northern Leopard Frog. © Solon Morse
Since the map included in the mini-poster is only there to give you a “general notion” for the range of the various species, if you check out a field guide you can determine which of the five species is located where you live.
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipens) – This species has the widest range and has a call that is often described as a long snore followed by short grunts – not very musical! Incidentally, this species is the one that has been used extensively for dissection in biology classes.
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana utricularia) is found from the southeastern through the southern part of North America and is probably most easily distinguished from its Northern relative by the white spot that’s located in the center of its eardrum (see mini-poster illustration).
Plains Leopard Frog (Rana blairi) is found in a more restricted range than the previous two and has a call that sounds like 2 or 3 distinct guttural notes.
Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Rana berlandieri) is located basically in southern Texas and northern Mexico along the Rio Grande River. This frog’s mating call is a short, guttural trill.
Relict Leopard Frog (Rana onca) has an extremely limited range where Arizona, Utah, and Nevada meet.
Activities
Science and Art - Color Me Yours
Objectives: Get to know a local frog
Materials: Printout unit illustration, colored pencils (paints if you wish), field guide to local amphibians
I’ve said it before in other activities, but it’s worth repeating – sketching, rendering, and/or coloring an animal or plant is an excellent way to really “see” and remember an organism. For those people that learn best with a visual approach, this is an especially good way to have information “stick”.
1. Print out the frog illustration that’s included with this activity. You may want to enlarge this illustration on your copying machine or you can simply reproduce it, as is, for each student – you decide what size is best to work with. If you prefer, you can have each student draw their own frog rather than provide this illustration.
2. Students need to consult a field guide on amphibians to determine which of the 5 different species of leopard frogs (Northern, Southern, Plains, Rio Grande, or Relict) is the species that is located in their area. Some of the states and provinces (Alberta for example) already have online information about leopard frogs in their locale so you may want to go the “internet route” to find out which leopard frog is found in your area. (The map on this unit poster should help you too!)
3. Once you know which one of the 5 species lives in your area, students can use the field guide or an internet source to use as reference to color in their frog outline. It will be important that they understand the differences between “their” frog and the other 4 species so their rendering is as accurate as they can make it. If they’re using a field guide, it should provide the key features that differentiates their frog from the other 4 species.
4. If you like, you can then have the students write some information about their frog beneath the illustration. It would be especially appropriate if they can find out one or two exact locations around their school/home/community where leopard frogs are known to live. A phone call to a local nature center or the high school biologist would probably provide this information very quickly.
One Step Further
5. I’ve also included a leopard frog tadpole illustration for students who may want to go a bit further with this exercise. An easy way to see some tadpoles in color is to go to “google”, and when the page comes up, select “images” then put in leopard frog tadpole in the search bar. This should give you an assortment of photos you can use for color and pattern.
Leopard frog tadpole © John Wiessinger
Key Concepts
Structures and Functions, Identification, Adaptations and Diversity
Questions
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Posted by Sharon Morton on May 29, 2006 at 10:02 PM
Q: We live in a well treed area of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Today, in our front flower bed, we found a small frog sitting on the leaf of an oriental lily. He is green but for a thin dark band accross each eye, has a somewhat pointy face, and his body is no more than an inch long. I haven't wished to disturb him, so I can't tell you anything about his feet, etc. He has been up and down the leaves of that same lily for the entire day. The flower bed is generally fairly moist, and faces north east, so only gets a small amount of morning sun. What type of frog might we have here? Can we do anything to make this a happy environment for him? He's welcome to stay!
Thanks,
Sharon
A: Your description was very helpful. The mention of "green" however did throw me off a bit. I believe your frog is a Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata). Chorus Frogs are greenish-gray to brown so I'm guessing that your frog isn't entirely green? Google this frog and see if it looks right and keep in mind that their colors vary a bit. Manitoba doesn't have many small frogs so there really aren't too many options.
Your little guy will like it best if the flower bed remains on the moist side. As the summer arrives and weather becomes hot and dry, your frog will be most comfortable if you keep that area a bit moist. Guess I'd spray it with water in the late afternoon (this species is nocturnal) and then he can come out to feed during the night. Thanks for your question and good luck with your frog.
Posted by Lori Gilbert on May 27, 2006 at 04:29 PM
Q: I have been looking for tadpoles in utah that would be good for my pond. I would like to know where I can find leopard frog's (tadpole's)in this area. We have had bull frog's and find they are illegal to have. But I have not been able to find a leopard frog, and would like to try these. Thanks
A: The Northern Leopard Frog is found in Utah but not in ALL habitats. You'll want to look for these frogs in moist locations. Although the adults are often found quite far from standing water, they prefer moist areas with lots of vegetation. So, if you can locate some areas along slow moving areas of steams, ponds, marshy areas etc. these should be good areas to find this species. You can even find them up in the mountains if the area is moist enough.
If you can find tadpoles in one of these areas, you can bring them to your home and place them in your pond. I've done this in my area and the following year had adult frogs returning to lay their eggs. But, keep in mind that if you do have tadpoles in your pond that grow up and leave, they'll need appropriate habitat fairly near the pond if they're to stay in your area. Best of luck to you on your search.
Posted by ruth gerrard on April 19, 2006 at 01:44 PM
Q: We're studying frogs in my Kindergarten class. One of my students brought in some tadpoles we think. They are in egg sacks and when they hatch are long and skinny. Two sac were attached to a stick. Could these be catfish? How can I tell what type of frog they are?
A: Glad to hear you're studying frogs. I think they are interesting. I can't be sure whether you found frog eggs or salamander eggs. But I think I can help you decide what you have once they hatch. I'm quite sure they are not catfish eggs.
Once the animals hatch, if they are tadpoles they will look different from salamander babies. Salamander babies will have tiny front legs and tiny gills that stick out from their body just behind their eyes. Tadpoles have gills inside their body and no legs. So, wait until they hatch and then look closely to tell one kind from the other.
When they hatch you will need food. If you have some pond or creek rocks with plants growing on them or dead leaves from the bottom of the pond, these will be good food. You can also give goldfish food that sinks to the bottom. Do not feed more goldfish food than they can eat in a day so the water stays clean. Good luck and if you have more questions, please write.
Posted by ruth gerrard on April 19, 2006 at 01:44 PM
Q: We're studying frogs in my Kindergarten class. One of my students brought in some tadpoles we think. They are in egg sacks and when they hatch are long and skinny. Two sac were attached to a stick. Could these be catfish? How can I tell what type of frog they are?
A: Here is a web site that has photographs of several species of frogs and salamanders that breed in shallow, fishless pools: vernalpools.enaturalist.org. under 'amphibian eggs' and you will see images of egg masses of wood frogs, spotted salamanders and others, and under 'amphibian larvae' there are images of tadpoles and salamander larvae.
When your eggs first hatch, it can be difficult to tell salamanders from frogs, but after a few days they will look quite different. A hand lens will help you see the legs.
I have had success feeding larval salamanders micro-invertebrates that live in pond water. A large bottle full of water typically has lots of these critters. A fine mesh net from an aquarium store will catch insect larvae (my salamanders like mosquito larvae a lot!) and larger micro-invertebrates like copepods and daphnia. Just pour the pond water directly into the tank with the salamanders.
Hope this helps.