The bullfrog gets its name from its powerful call, which sounds more like the bellow of a bull than the croak of a frog. The bullfrog's strong hind legs enable it to jump long distances. Originally found only east of the Rocky Mountains, this large frog has spread west and is used in California to supply the local demand for frog's legs. It has also been introduced as a source of protein in Jamaica and Cuba.

Habits: The bullfrog often stays submerged with just its nostrils and bulging eyes showing. This position allows the frog to spot danger easily. Moveable lids protect the eyes from dust and grit, and a special gland keeps them moist. The bullfrog has a strong sense of hearing. Its ears are located under the skin nut the eardrums can be seen as rings behind the eyes. A males rings are twice the size of a females. The bullfrog has a blind spot in front of its nostrils so it must turn its head slightly to one side to see prey. With its green coloring, it camouflages itself and can “disappear” into its habitat. The bullfrog inhales air to swell its body. This increased size is used to ward off predators.

Breeding: During the spring breeding season the male bellows loudly at night to attract females. During the day both the males and females hide in pond side vegetation, but at night the male moves farther out into the pond to establish a territory from which to call for females. The males call also serves to mark his territory. He warns intruding males with the call and sometimes grapples with them until they leave. The female joins the male when she is ready to spawn – but not before. The male mounts her and clasps her behind her forearms, fertilizing the eggs as she produces them. Rough pads on the males thumbs help him grip the female securely. In colder regions a bullfrog tadpole may wait up to two years before transforming into a young frog.

Food and Feeding: Bullfrogs like to eat underwater. They often submerge themselves in the water before eating prey caught on a stream or pond bank. The bullfrogs larger size allows it to eat more types of prey than most smaller frogs. It eats small fish, insects, and even frogs of its own species. It also preys on small mammals such as mice, snakes, and young alligators. The tadpole uses the small, horn like appendages around its mouth to gather algae and bacteria from the water. It also feeds on dead fish or animals found in the water. The bullfrogs strong back legs enable it to leap great distances to catch prey.

Key Facts:
Sizes:
Length: 6-6 ½ in.
Weight: 2 oz.

Breeding:
Sexual maturity: 2-4 years after metamorphosis
Mating: Spring to early summer
No. of eggs: 10,000-20,000
Hatching time: 4-20 days
Metamorphosis: 1-3 years

Lifestyle:
Call: Loud bellow
Habit: Solitary outside breeding season
Diet: Insects, snails, earthworms, small mammals, young birds, small fish and frogs
Life span: Up to 15 years in the wild; up to 8 months in captivity

Related Species: Closely related are the tiger frog, Rana tigrina, the edible frog, R. esculenta, and the European common frog, R. temporaria.
Distribution: Originally from North America, it was first introduced to some Caribbean islands and then to Europe, where it is most common in northern Italy.
Conservation: The bullfrog suffers from the effects of habitat destruction, acid rain, and pesticides polluting waterways.

Features of the American Bullfrog:
Skin: Like a snake, a frog sheds its skin every few days. It pulls the skin away from its body with its mouth and then swallows it.
Size: Unlike other frogs, the male bullfrog is larger than the female.
Eyes: The pupils are horizontal and slit shaped. Special glands under the moveable lids protect the eyes from dust and grit.
The Bullfrog’s Jump: With its heavily webbed feet and strong, muscular hind legs, the bullfrog jumps long distances.

Did You Know:
American bullfrogs can catch and eat bats. One African bullfrog found in a snake cage in the Pretoria Zoo ate 16 young cobras.
Most frogs leave hatching eggs and tadpoles to fend for themselves, but the male bullfrog may defend its tadpoles from predators.
Each frog species has a distinct call that only the female of the same species responds to. If two species live in the same area, the calls become even more distinct so that the frogs do not become confused