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Featured Creature
American Bullfrog
American Alligator
AMERICAN BULLFROG!
RANGE: This highly aquatic frog may be found in the eastern and central United States; also New Brunswick and parts of Nova Scotia. Extensively introduced in the west. Metamorphs and juveniles are seen more frequently that adults.
DESCRIPTION: 3.5 to 8" (9-20.3cm) The largest of the frogs in North America. Green to yellow above with random mottling of darker gray. Large external eardrum; hind feet fully webbed except for last joint of longest toe. No dorsolateral ridges. Belly cream to white, may be mottled with gray.
VOICE: Deep-pitched jug o'rum call can be heard for more than quarter mile on quiet mornings.
BREEDING: northern areas, May to July; southern, February to October. Egg masses are attached to submerged vegetation. Tadpoles are large, 4-6.75" (10.2-17.1 cm), olive green, and may take up to 2 years to morph into froglets.
HABITAT: Aquatic, Prefers ponds, lakes, and slow moving streams large enough to avoid crowding and with sufficient vegetation to provide easy cover.
NOCTURNAL: Less aquatic than the Pig Frog, it is usually found on the bank at the waters edge. When frightened, it will as soon flee to nearby vegetation as take to the water. Large specimens have been known to catch and swallow birds and young snakes; its usual diet includes insects, crayfish, other frogs, and minnows.
The top picture of the American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is an Albino (lacking all black color) and occurs frequently in reptiles and amphibians!
