Leopard Frog

A leopard frog is any of a group of slim, spotted frogs from North America, named for the dark, leopard-like spots on their green or brown backs. The best known is the northern leopard frog, a common pond and meadow frog across much of Canada and the northern United States.

What Are Leopard Frogs?

Leopard frogs belong to the true frog family, Ranidae. They used to be placed in the genus Rana, but many scientists now put them in the genus Lithobates. There are more than a dozen leopard frog species, including the northern, southern, plains, Rio Grande and lowland leopard frogs. They look alike, so experts tell them apart by where they live, their calls, small differences in markings and their genes.

Like all frogs, they start life as tadpoles in water and grow into air-breathing adults that live both on land and in water. Some people also call the northern leopard frog the meadow frog, because it often hunts in damp grassy fields.

What Do Leopard Frogs Look Like?

Leopard frogs have smooth, slim bodies and long, powerful back legs built for jumping. They are green or brown, with two or three rows of rounded dark spots, each usually outlined with a pale ring. Two pale ridges run down each side of the back, and there is a light stripe along the upper jaw.

Most adults measure about 5 to 11 cm (2 to 4.5 inches) from nose to rump, and females are usually a little bigger than males.

Where Do Leopard Frogs Live?

Together, the different leopard frog species are found across much of North America, from southern Canada through the United States and into Mexico and Central America. The northern leopard frog lives across most of Canada and the northern half of the United States, while the southern leopard frog lives in the southeastern states.

These spotted insect-eaters live around ponds, lakes, marshes, slow streams and ditches. In summer, northern leopard frogs often wander away from the water into wet meadows and fields to hunt, which is how they got the name meadow frog. On rainy nights many of them may move between ponds.

Behavior and Life Cycle

Leopard frogs are active both by day and at night. When something frightens them, they make a series of zigzag leaps toward the nearest water and dive in to hide. A leopard frog can jump more than ten times its own body length.

In winter, northern leopard frogs hibernate at the bottom of ponds and lakes that do not freeze solid. They rest on the mud for several months and take in oxygen from the water through their skin.

In early spring the males gather in shallow water and call with a rattling, snore-like sound. Each female lays a mass of a few thousand eggs, attached to plants in the water. The tadpoles hatch within a couple of weeks and turn into tiny froglets by mid to late summer.

What Do Leopard Frogs Eat?

Adult leopard frogs eat mostly insects, along with spiders, worms, slugs and snails. They are sit-and-wait hunters that snap up anything small that moves. They have big mouths, and large frogs sometimes swallow smaller frogs, and on rare occasions even a tiny snake or a baby bird. Tadpoles eat algae and other bits of plant matter.

Are Leopard Frogs in Danger?

Leopard frogs are still common in many places, but some populations, especially in western North America, have declined because of habitat loss, pollution, disease and introduced predators. Some species and local populations are protected by law.

Leopard Frogs as Pets

Leopard frogs can make interesting pets, but check your local laws first: in some states and provinces it is illegal to collect or keep them. A captive-bred frog is the best choice. Never release a pet frog into the wild, because it could spread disease to wild frogs.

Housing

Leopard frogs are strong jumpers and are easily stressed in small spaces, so a 20-gallon (75-liter) tank or larger is a good size for one or two frogs. It must have a secure, ventilated lid. Set it up like a pond edge: part shallow water, part damp land.

• Use a substrate free of chemicals and fertilizers, such as plain topsoil or coconut fiber, covered with leaf litter.
• Add hiding places such as cork bark, smooth rocks and pieces of wood. Clean rocks and wood first by scrubbing them and rinsing in very hot water.
• Live plants such as small ferns or floating duckweed give the frogs cover and help them feel safe.
• Use dechlorinated water and change it often. Frogs absorb water and chemicals through their skin, so dirty water, uneaten food or dead insects quickly make them sick. A small filter helps.
• Normal room temperature of about 18 to 24°C (65 to 75°F) suits them. Avoid placing the tank in direct sun or next to a heater.

Feeding

Feed pet leopard frogs a variety of live insects and worms, such as crickets, earthworms, nightcrawlers and woodlice. They usually only notice food that moves. Young frogs eat every day or two, and adults a few times a week. Dust the insects lightly with a calcium and vitamin D3 powder at some feedings to keep their bones strong, but do not overdo vitamin supplements. Never keep leopard frogs with much smaller animals, because they may try to eat them.

Handling

Most amphibians do not enjoy being handled. Their skin is delicate and can be damaged by dry hands, soap or lotions. Leopard frogs are best watched rather than held. If you must move one, wet your hands first, and always wash your hands afterwards, because frogs can carry germs such as Salmonella. With good care, a leopard frog can live for several years.

Leopard frog FAQs