American bullfrog

Latin name: Lithobates catesbeianus

Other name/s: Bullfrog

Where do they live?

American bullfrogs live in the southern Canadian provinces down through Florida, west to Texas and Oklahoma (eastern North America). They live in freshwater areas such as lakes, ponds and marshes. Although, they have been introduced in the West of the U.S., parts of Canada, and globally and are considered invasive.

How do they hunt?

American Bullfrogs are ambush predators, and they are known as a gape-limited predator, due to the fact they will eat anythng and everything that will fit in their mouths. Their large eyes on top of their head give them a large field of vision. They use a sticky tongue and powerful jaws to capture their prey.

How do they protect themselves?

They use camoflage, toxins that they secrete from a gland behind their ears (parotic glands), males let out loud clicking calls to startle or scare attackers and they can use their strong back legs to hop away quickly.

Can they be pets?

Yes, they can be pets, but their size can make it tricky. They need a large enclosure (minimum size 75 gallons), with large land and water areas. They are quite active frogs, even when they are younger, meaning that they need more space to prevent injury. They are also not suitable for handling due to sensitive skin. They have a diet of insects, small fish and rodents, which can become costly.