American Bullfrog

Facts about American Bullfrog, "Scientific name for American Bullfrog is Lithobates catesbeianus". American Bullfrogs belong to the family of Ranidae. The American Bullfrog are normally found in the Southern and Eastern parts of United States. But lately it has been introduced to North, South and Central America. The American Bullfrog have a very heavy roar of a bull, and that’s where it gets its name from.

The American Bullfrogs have an olive green back, brownish markings on the sides and white belly which has yellow or grey spots. The teeth are normally tiny and used for grasping. Eyes are distinguished with brown irises and almond shaped pupils which are horizontal. The eardrums are just behind the eyes and the limbs are banded with gray. Hind legs are long but forelegs are short.

Male American Bullfrog have yellow throats and are smaller compared to their female counterparts. American Bullfrogs measure 3 9/16 to 6 inches (9.9 to 15.2 cm), from snout to vent. The larger mature American Bullfrogs weigh up to 500g and within the first eight months of their lives there is a rapid growth.

The American Bullfrogs love large and permanent water bodies like swamps, ponds and lakes. They stay at the water edge and the male defends the territory during breeding season.

The American bullfrogs are used as food in North America. They are also used in biology classes for dissection. Others keep the American Bullfrogs as pets but this act is highly discouraged.

The American Bullfrog breeding season lasts for two to three months and the male arrive at the breeding site in late May or early June. Their breeding sites are spaced 3 to 6m apart and the male American Bullfrog call loudly to attract females.

It is believed that the males have a long period of breeding season which encourages multiple mating. An interesting fact to note is that male American Bullfrogs don’t clasp females unless they give them the consent. Unless the female American Bullfrog gives the male go ahead the mating cannot go on.

The American Bullfrog feed on small orgasms but a study done shown that rodents, small reptiles, crayfish and birds are among what these bullfrogs feed from.