All three leopard frogs are similar in general appearance and living habits. Ideal habitat for the leopard frog consists of shallow, freshwater habitats in open or lightly wooded areas. This wetland habitat is essential for frog survival, and the loss of wetlands since 1900 has greatly affected leopard frog populations not only in Oklahoma, but nationwide. Meadow or grass frogs, as they are sometimes called, are regularly seen some distance from water. They frequently search for prey in grassy fields and are common lawn and garden visitors during the summer.
Leopard frogs spend the day hiding among the tall grass and emerge toward evening to feed.
During the winter, they hibernate at the bottoms of ponds or streams. After a long hibernation, adult leopard frogs quickly turn their attention to breeding. During early spring and summer, as well as fall and winter for the southern leopard frog, males fill the air with sweet, deep rattling snores followed by several clucking grunts to attract females. They breed in both permanent and temporary streams, pools, ponds or ditches and attach the large jelly-like cluster of eggs to vegetation or rocks beneath the water surface. Females lay 3,000 to 6,000 eggs that hatch in about 10 days.