Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

County List:

Rule:

Forested or Nonforested Landscapes

      Any Open Water
   adjacent to:
      Any Emergent Wetland

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Bullfrogs inhabit permanent ponds, lakes, marshes, sloughs, and impoundments. They are most common in warm waters with abundant plant growth.

Bullfrogs eat nearly any animal that they can swallow, including insects, crayfish, smaller frogs, fish, small snakes and turtles, mice and birds.

Habitat: Near shorelines of large bodies of water with emergent vegetation, lakes, river oxbows. Highly aquatic. Tend to remain in same pools for the summer months if water level is stable. Will occupy floating logs far from shore. Breed close to shorelines in areas sheltered by shrubs. Hibernates underwater in mud and leaves about mid-October, emerges late February to March.

Special Habitat Requirements: Deep permanent water with emergent vegetation.

Habitat: The bullfrog is restricted to aquatic habitats including shallow bays and coves of large lakes, slow-moving rivers, streams, and backwaters, and natural and artificial ponds. The primary habitat requirement is a permanent water body with abundant emergent and shoreline vegetation.

Within their habitat, both adult and larval bullfrogs remain in the cover of vegetation, either floating or perched among water plants or sitting at the water's edge. Adults will also sit on floating logs or debris, where they either bask in the sun or wait to ambush prey. First year larvae spend much of their time in shallows, hiding under bottom vegetation or debris. Second year larvae are more likely to be found at the water's surface, hiding in thick vegetation.

Bullfrogs require abundant emergent and shoreline vegetation and increased shoreline development for homes and recreation has reduced habitat for bullfrogs in some areas.