Breeds in still waters of pools, roadside and drainage ditches, marshes, and ponds. In some places in northern parts of its range it occurs with northern leopard frog. Eats a variety of invertebrates. Adults breed during March-April, sometimes in large numbers. Female lays 3,000-7,000 eggs.
Tadpoles transform in midsummer.
Formerly widespread in extensive prairie marshlands of the state. Remains widespread, but not abundant, in peripheral prairie remnants and south along the Mississippi River bottomlands. Most of original habitat has been rendered unsuitable by agriculture.