Plains Leopard Frog

Plains Leopard Frog

Scientific Name: Lithobates blairi
(Formerly: Rana blairi)
Family: Ranidae

Description and Size

  • Slimly, slightly granular skin
  • Extremely long hind legs
  • White dot in the center of the external eardrum (tympanum)
  • Prominent lines (dorsolateral fold) that extends from head to the rear of the body on either side of the body
    • These lines is not continuous and breaks near the rear of the body
  • Total length: 5.0-11.1 cm (2.0-4.4 in)
  • Back color: tan to greyish-brown
  • Spots: dark colored, not outlined in white
  • Belly color: white

Habitat

  • Lakes
  • Streams
  • Next to grasslands
  • Wet Meadows

Diet

  • Aquatic vegetation (larvae)
  • Aquatic bacterial colonies (larvae)
  • Arthropods
  • Worms

Plains Leopard Frog Call

Click here to listen

Life History

  • Nocturnal, rarely diurnal
  • Active season: March – October
  • Breeding season: April – July
  • Lays eggs
  • 4,000-6,000 eggs per female

Range

Plains Leopard Frog NE

Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email dferraro1@unl.edu.