These the typical pond frogs, once almost unbelievaby abundant but now much less common because of widespread pollution and the destruction of wetland habitats. The 21 species are rather similar in appearance, with a greenish or nrownish color and irregularly shaded adrk spots or splotches on their bodies. One important identifying characteristic is the presence or absense of dorsolaterla ridges, a pair of folds that run down the back of certain species.
The Green Frog has dorsolateral ridges; the Bullfrog, the largest frog in North America, looks quite similar but lacks these folds. Originally found only in the eastern part of the continent, the Bullfrog has been released in suitable locations throughout North America and has also excaped from "farms" where it has been raised for food or other purposes.
The deep, sonorous jug-o-rum mating calls of the males are familiar spring sounds, so loud and booming that they drown out the weaker calls of similar species. Male Bullfrogs sing solos rather than joining in choruses like most frogs. Their larger eardrums, or tympanums (the round area behind each eye), distinguish them from the females.
Green Frog
(Rana clamitans)
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Bullfrog
(Rana catesbeiana)
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Mink Frog
(Rana septentrionalis)
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Bronze Frog
(Rana clamitans)
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River Frog
(Rana heckscheri)
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Leopard Frog
(Rana sphenocephala)
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Species of True frogs (Rana) include:
Rana clamitans (Green Frog)
Rana septentrionalis (Mink Frog)
Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog)
Rana clamitans (Bronze Frog)
Rana capito (Gopher Frog)
Rana sphenocephala (Leopard Frog)
Rana grylio (Pig Frog)
Rana virgatipes (Carpenter Frog)
Rana heckscheri (River Frog)
Rana palustris (Pickerel Frog)
Rana sylvatica (Wood Frog)
Rana areolata (Crawfish Frog)
Rana pretiosa (Spotted Frog)
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