American Bullfrog

Description:

The bullfrog varies in colour from pale green to dark greenish brown above, is creamy white below and has variable dark mottling on the back or underside. Adult males have pale to bright yellow chins during the breeding season. This species is distinguished by its very large tympani (eardrums), which are always larger than the eyes, especially in males. Bullfrogs have lateral folds but, unlike in other frog species, these folds wrap downward around the tympani rather than trailing down the back. Adult bullfrogs may grow up to 17 centimetres long. The call of this frog is deep and resonant – a vigorous, growling “jug-o-rum.” Listen to the call of the bullfrog (courtesy of Adopt-A-Pond Wetland Conservation Programme).

Habitat:

Bullfrogs, which require large permanent waterbodies to breed but may spend part of the summer in smaller ponds, are usually found in water along a well-vegetated shoreline. Over the winter, bullfrogs hibernate in deep ponds, lakes and rivers.