Northern Leopard Frog

When we say Rana pipiens it is difficult to understand that we are referring to Northern Leopard Frog which is very common in North America. Their habitat differs from mountains to deserts and from marshes to open water where there is plenty of vegetation. The northern leopard frog like open grassy places which is the reason they are also known as Meadow Frog.

The Northern Leopard Frog is medium in size which averages from two inches to five inches in length. They come in green or brown colors or both, and have distinct dark irregular circular spots on their backs, legs and sides. They also have a lighter ring which acts like a border for the spots. The number and color of the spots vary.

They have large powerful hind legs which are very useful for them while swimming and jumping and webbed toes. As the eyes of the Northern Leopard Frog are very keen it helps them not only to catch its prey but also save itself in times of danger from its enemies. In order to protect itself from enemies its leaps into the air and jumps into vegetation or hides itself in the mud.

The Northern Leopard Frog has skin which is moist as well as smooth. They have glands in their skin which secrete poison, which is not harmful to the humans but strong enough to keep their predators at bay.

The Northern Leopard Frogs hibernate during winters for three months. Their life span is of about four years if in the wild but it lives much longer if captured and kept.

The Northern Leopard Frog eats anything that can move. They wait for their prey to come close then they leap about 15-40 cms to catch the prey. They basically eat ants, flies, insects, grasshoppers, worms, snails and slugs. It is often seen that adult frogs eat small ones including their own species. They sometimes also eat birds and small snakes. Observers say that the Northern Leopard Frog hunt both during the day as well as night.

The Northern Leopard Frog can sometimes be mistaken with its cousin the Pickerel Frog as they look very much identical. The only distinguishing feature is the arrangement of the spots. The Northern Leopard Frog has circular spots which are irregular in shape and pattern while the Pickerel Frog has spots which are almost square in pattern and their skin is toxic and should not be kept with other frogs as it may act like poison for them.

The Northern Leopard Frog is a very important for the ecosystem as well as researchers finds them important for cure of certain diseases as well as eats insects that destroy agriculture.

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