Plains Leopard Frog

Description:

Recognition: Dorsum brown, with large rounded or oval dark spots that usually have a light border; skin somewhat rough or nodulated; eardrum usually with distinct light spot; dorsolateral folds inset toward midline on rump; hind toes with extensive webbing; rear of thigh with dark reticulation; vestigial oviducts absent in male (dissection required). Mature male: base of innermost digit on forefeet swollen during breeding season; expanded vocal sacs, one on each side, extend above forelimbs; breeding call a series of short “clucks” followed by a few low chuckling or grunting sounds, together lasting usually less than two seconds. Larvae: dorsum brown, olive, or gray, paler than northern leopard frog; dorsal spots circular and rear surface of thighs with transverse dark bars near metamorphosis (Post and Pettus 1966; Dunlap and Kruse 1976); snout rounded in dorsal view; oral disc subterminal (Korky 1978); eyes dorsal, iris medium-gold, with no dorsal or ventral dark spots (Scott and Jennings 1985).

Habitat:

Habitat: The plains leopard frog inhabits the margins of streams, natural and artificial ponds, reservoirs, creek pools, irrigation ditches, and other bodies of water in plains grassland, sandhills, stream valleys, or canyon bottoms.