American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Difficult (Polygynous)

The **American Bullfrog** (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) is a large North American amphibian featured in the *Planet Zoo* North America Animal Pack.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population in the Wild:** Unknown

The American bullfrog is a large species of amphibian that live in the swamps, ponds and lakes of the USA and Canada. Depending on its environment, it may be dark green, pale green or pale brown dorsally with paler colored belly. It may have darker spots on its back and a banding pattern on its legs, although some variations of the bullfrog have no pattern. The American bullfrog is sexually dimorphic; females are larger than males, and much larger tympanum (ovular hearing gland) on the sides of their head. The American bullfrog measures between 3.5-6 in in length and weighs 10.5-17.6 oz.

The American bullfrog is not endangered, but is an invasive species in South America, Western Europe, South East Asia, Japan, and China. Population control measures have been introduced in areas where the American bullfrog is a problem to prevent damage to the native wildlife because of the bullfrog's opportunistic feeding habits.

### Social

American bullfrogs will tolerate each other if there is enough space. They are known to gather in large groups during the breeding season, but males are often aggressive towards each other.

### Reproduction

American bullfrog males usually participate in two types of mating strategy:

1) During the breeding season, males will establish and defend a territory of 32-64 ft² at a breeding site such as a swamp or pond and crock to attract females and fend off rival males. This method of breeding is likely to happen when population density is low.

2) Many males are likely to gather in the same area and vocalize. The extensive amount of croaking is called a 'chorus', this is believed to be because the louder and more numerous calls will attract more females. This method of breeding is likely to happen when population density is high:

Males will remain at the breeding site for the entirety of the breeding season in order to maximize their chances of mating multiple times. Females will bisit the breeding site and only mate once. Usually, all her eggs are fertilized by the same male. Females will lay their eggs during copulation and fertilization happens externally. Spawn forms a flouting sheet about 10ft² in size. Eggs will hatch 3-5 days after being laid.

Tadpole growth is dependent on temperature end environmental conditions. Tadpoles may take anything from 6 months up to 3 years to develop into froglets. Froglets may take another 2 years to become large enough to become a desirable mate and are likely to mate for the first time between 3-5 years old depending on how old they were at metamorphosis.

## Animal Care

 HABITAT ENRICHMENT
Submerged Log A · Submerged Log B · Dry Log · Basking Lamp · Large Rock A · Large Rock B · Mangrove Root A · Mangrove Root B · Mangrove Root C

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Fun Facts

* American bullfrogs lay approximately 20,000 eggs during each reproductive event.
* The American bullfrog is hunted for its legs in the Southern USA, which are a source of food.
* The American bullfrog is so named because the mating call of the male sounds like a bull's bellow.
* The American Bullfrog can thrive in water temperatures between 59-86°F. However, tadpoles will begin to develop with abnormalities if water temperatures get higher than 89.6°F.
* The American bullfrog is a generalist predator that as been known to capture and eat bats, birds and tarantulas.