True Frogs | Herps of Texas

Rana areolata

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana areolata

Common Name. Crawfish Frog

General information. Rana areolata is nocturnal and rarely seen outside of burrows except during breeding season. Rana areolata feeds primarily on crawfish, but eats insects and other frogs.

Protected status. The Crawfish Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Stocky frog with rough skin and extensively webbed toes

Coloration. Color varies from brown to black with temperature and activity Dark dorsal spots outlined in lighter color. Ventral surfaces plain and white, except throat spotted on sides. Males may have yellow coloration on dorsolateral folds and on concealed surfaces of limbs.

General distribution. In North America, Rana areolata is found in eastern Oklahoma and Texas, as well as in western Louisiana.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Rana areolata found in Texas, R. a. areolata, is found in scattered populations across the eastern third of the state.

Habitat. Rana areolata can be found in abandoned crawfish holes, small mammal burrows, and storm sewers.

Reproduction. Breeding in Rana areolata takes place all year with a peak from February to June; egg masses are laid in shallow water.

Size. Rana areolata grows to an adult size of 7-9.5 cm (2.2-3 in).

Calls.

Map. Map is based on museum voucher specimens; last updated 12 November 2014.

Rana berlandieri

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana berlandieri

Common Name. Rio Grande Leopard Frog

General information. Rana berlandieri is nocturnal and burrows to avoid the heat of the sun. Rana berlandieri can feed on a variety of insects and anything smaller than itself.

Protected status. The Rio Grande Leopard Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Smooth, angular frog Dorsolateral folds broken and inset medially at the hip. Male vocal sac, when not inflated, collapses into a pouch which looks like a black slit.

Coloration. Dorsal color pale brown or green Several rows of irregularly placed dark spots between light dorsolateral folds, with dark spots outlined by lighter color. Pale light line along upper jaw.

General distribution. In North America, Rana berlandieri is found in Texas and northeast Mexico.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Rana berlandieri can be found in moist environments throughout central, west and south Texas.

Habitat. Rana berlandieri is found in arid regions, often near brooks, creeks, or streams; R. berlandieri may also be near cattle irrigation tanks.

Reproduction. Breeding in Rana berlandieri can take place year-round with ample rainfall. Egg masses are laid in water and attached to vegetation.

Size. Rana berlandieri can reach a size of 7-10 cm (2.2-4 in) as an adult.

Calls.

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Rana blairi

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana blairi

Common Name. Plains Leopard Frog

General information. Rana blairi is nocturnal and feeds on variety of insects and almost anything smaller than itself.

Protected status. The Plains Leopard Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Dorsolateral folds broken and inset medially at the hip. Extensively webbed toes Male vocal sac with longitudinal folds.

Coloration. Dorsal color usually brown Several rows of irregularly placed dark spots between light dorsolateral folds, with dark spots outlined by lighter color Distinct light line along upper jaw and dark snout spot Light spot on tympanum. Yellow coloration in groin and ventral surface of thighs.

General distribution. In North America, Rana blairi is found in an arching band from western Illinois to north Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Rana blairi is present in the Panhandle and the north-central portions of the state.

Habitat. Rana blairi is found in arid environments and can be seen in plains and prairies, along streams, and on the edges of ponds.

Reproduction. Breeding in Rana blairi can occur year-round if warm rains are present.

Size. Rana blairi reaches an adult length of 5-7 cm (2-3.2 in).

Calls.

Rana catesbeiana

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana catesbeiana

Common Name. Bullfrog

General information. Rana catesbeiana is active in the evening and at night. Rana catesbeiana is a solitary and territorial species and is able to leap great distances. The bullfrog feeds on anything that moves and can be swallowed, including insects, crawfish, small fish, frogs, birds and snakes.

Protected status. The Bullfrog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Prominent tympanum (larger in males than females). Dorsolateral folds end near tympanum. Fully webbed hind feet, except fourth toe.

Coloration. Plain green or with gray net-like pattern on green ground color. Ventral surfaces white and mottled with gray or yellow. Long hind legs may be blotched or banded. Belly of males may be more strongly mottled.

General distribution. In North America, Rana catesbeiana is found in the eastern two-thirds of the United States, barely extending into Canada and Mexico; R. catesbeiana also is introduced in some western states.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Rana catesbeiana is found throughout the state, except in mountainous areas.

Habitat. Rana catesbeiana prefers large bodies of water, ponds, lakes, and slow streams and is most often seen at the edge of the water in vegetation or debris.

Reproduction. Breeding in Rana catesbeiana takes place from February to October. Egg masses are laid in a film on surface of the water.

Size. The largest frog species found in the United States, Rana catesbeiana reach between 7-15 cm (3.5-6 in) as adults.

Calls.

Rana clamitans

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana clamitans

Common Name. Green Frog

General information. Rana clamitans is solitary and nocturnal, remains hidden most of the time.

Protected status. The Green Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Smooth skinned frog with prominent tympanum. Dorsolateral folds do NOT extend to groin Fully webbed feet, except fourth toe

Coloration. Plain brown or bronze dorsally White ventral surfaces with dark, irregular markings Green coloration may be present on upper lip. Adult male with yellowish coloration on throat.

General distribution. In the United States, Rana clamitans is found in the southern states, from North Carolina to Texas.

Texas distribution. The single subspecies of Rana clamitans found in Texas, R. c. clamitans, is found in the eastern third of the state.

Habitat. Rana clamitans shelters in logs and crevices, and lives in swamps and near streams.

Reproduction. Breeding in Rana clamitans occurs from March to August. Small egg masses are attached to underwater vegetation.

Size. Rana clamitans grows to 5-8 cm (2.2-3 in).

Calls.

Rana grylio

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana grylio

Common Name. Pig Frog

General information. Rana grylio is nocturnal and usually difficult to approach. The pig frog is territorial and feeds primarily on crawfish, but eats minnows, snakes, and smaller frogs.

Protected status. The Pig Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Hind feet are fully webbed (not so in R. catesbeiana) dorsolateral folds absent Narrow and pointed head Prominent tympanum

Coloration. Dorsal surface varies from olive to dark brown with prominent dark dorsal spots Ventral surfaces white or pale yellow with gray mottling on thighs.

General distribution. In North America, Rana grylio is found in the southern U. S., from South Carolina to east Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Rana grylio is restricted to the southeastern corner of the state.

Habitat. Rana grylio is seen in large bodies of water, such as lakes and marshes amid floating vegetation.

Reproduction. Breeding in Rana grylio takes place from March to September.

Size. Rana grylio is a large frog species, reaching 8-13 cm (3.2-5.5 in).

Calls.

Rana palustris

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana palustris

Common Name. Pickerel Frog

General information. Rana palustris is nocturnal and hibernates from October to March. In some cases it will secrete a toxin from its skin if disturbed.

Protected status. The Pickerel Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Smooth skin with poison-secreting glands

Coloration. Typically light brown dorsal surface Light line along upper jaw. Square, dark dorsal spots outlined in white and arranged in parallel lines. Banded dorsal surface of hind legs with yellow or orange coloration on concealed surfaces of rear limbs. Ventral surfaces white with dark mottling.

General distribution. In North America, Rana palustris is found from the Canadian maritime provinces south to the Carolinas, and westward from Minnesota to Texas.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Rana palustris can be found in the eastern third of the state.

Habitat. Rana palustris prefers clear, cool water environments and is found in ravines, streams, and the warm waters of coastal plain swamps.

Reproduction. Breeding in Rana palustris occurs after emerging from hibernation in March and continues to May. Egg masses are attached to underwater vegetation.

Size. Rana palustris grows to 4-7.5 cm (1.8-3 in) as an adult.

Calls.

Rana sphenocephala

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Rana sphenocephala

Common Name. Southern Leopard Frog

General information. Nocturnal, Rana sphenocephala hides during the day in vegetation at the edge of the water. Rana sphenocephala avoids predators by entering the water and swimming away underwater where it is well camouflaged in vegetated areas.

Protected status. The Southern Leopard Frog is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Smooth skin and long, pointed head

Coloration. Dorsal surface is brown or green, or combination of the two Dark, round spots on dorsum between light dorsolateral ridges and on sides of body, with the spots outlined by lighter color. Distinct light spot on tympanum. Light line on upper jaw.

General distribution. In North America, Rana sphenocephala is found in the southeastern United States, from as far north as New Jersey south and east to Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.

Texas distribution. In Texas, Rana sphenocephala is found in the eastern third of the state.

Habitat. Rana sphenocephala prefers shallow, freshwater habitats, although it can sometimes be seen in brackish waters along the coasts.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs year-round in Rana sphenocephala with eggs laid in shallow water.

Size. Rana sphenocephala reaches an adult size of 5-7 cm (2.3.5 in).

Calls.

Map. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.