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Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)

Leopard frog at Pine Point Park View Enlarged Image

Spotted Prince of Midwestern Wetlands

The Leopard Frog is often one of the easiest amphibians to spot in Minnesota. Like the crocodile, they tend to bask at the surface of the water, their eyes and noses just breaking the surface as the rest of their body idly floats, blending quite well with leaves or underwater vegetation. Their best defense from predators and best chance to nab prey is to remain calm, not moving a muscle until they're either certain they've been spotted or sure of a meal.

The Leopard Frogs usually start to call a week or more after Spring Peepers begin their chorus, and are described by many as sounding like a deep, resonant snore. They can be heard quite plainly late at night after the Peepers stop calling.

Leopard Frogs are quite active in the fall, when thousands have been counted crossing back roads that meander past lakes or wetlands.

Promoting our Frogs

Leopard Frogs and other amphibians are endangered by runoff, water pollution, pet predation and habitat destruction. You can promote them in your backyard by creating water gardens, landscaping with native rocks and creating "frog houses" by digging shallow ditches (no more than 5" in diameter and 2" deep) and placing flat rocks or plywood over them. There should be just enough room at one end to allow a frog to enter, and the lid should be heavy enough (weighed down with dirt or rocks) so that predators such as fox, raccoons and house pets cannot get in.

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Stan Tekiela's Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota

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