American bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus · The American bullfrog is a large true frog native to eastern North America that typically lives in swamps, ponds, and lakes.

Also called American bullfrog, bullfrog, American bull frog, Bull-frog.

American bullfrog
Photo: Paul Danese, CC BY-SA 4.0
American bullfrog
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
American bullfrog
Photo: Paul Danese, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyRanidae
GenusLithobates
SpeciesLithobates catesbeianus

Where it lives

Ponds and lakes of eastern Canada and the US; invasive in much of the world.

Fun facts

  • Bullfrogs can grow up to 8 inches long and weigh as much as 1.8 pounds, making them North America's largest true frog.
  • A single female bullfrog can lay up to 20,000 eggs in one batch, fertilized externally by the male.
  • Voracious bullfrogs will eat almost anything they can overpower, including snakes, small birds, scorpions, tarantulas, and even bats.
  • Rival male bullfrogs wrestle each other and flash bright yellow throats to show dominance during breeding season.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).