Fun Leopard Frog Facts For Kids

Leopard frogs are a common name used for various species of true frogs under the genus lithobates which are common across Central America, North America, and South America. This species is native to the Nearctic regions. The northern leopard frog (the scientific name being Rana pipiens) is a larger species of frog but has the same green or brown-colored body with black spots. Each spot is ringed with a lighter shade of color. They have a pearly white underside and light-colored ridges on either side of their backs. The northern leopard frogs are found in swamps, permanent ponds, slowing-moving streams, and marshes. They can be found in forests, urban and rural areas. The northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens or Rana pipiens) can adapt to cold climates well. Because of their habitat, they are also known as meadow frogs.

There are various known species of the leopard frog, some of which are the Atlantic coast frog, bigfoot frogs, Browns’ leopard frog, Chiricahua frog, Forrer’s grass frog, Guerrero Frog, island leopard frog, Lemos-Espinal’s frog, Lenca frog, Lowland frog, Montezuma frog, Northwest Mexico frog, and many others. Leopard frog and Pickerel frog were believed to be one species only due to their extremely similar appearances until they were used in laboratories from the 1940s.

After reading the facts about spotted leopard frogs, do read our other articles on pool frogs and tree frogs. 

What type of animal is a leopard frog?

Leopard frogs belong to the true frog family of frogs which are native to the Nearctic regions.  Many frog species of the leopard frog are quite similar to each other in appearance. The animals of this species prefer to live near the edge of the water as it allows them easy access to prey.

What class of animal does a leopard frog belong to?

Northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) belong to a class of animals called amphibians. Since they are found on land near a water body and can walk on land and swim in the waters, they are called land-dwelling amphibians. Some of the varieties of leopard frogs that are present in the wild are the Chiricahua leopard frog, relict leopard frog, Atlantic coast leopard frog, plains leopard frog, and several others. These animals are extremely terrestrial.

How many leopard frogs are there in the world?

As leopard frogs are found at many locations throughout their habitat, the exact numbers would be difficult to calculate, but the constant encroachment of their living space and loss of habitat is cause for concern for their declining population. Their population has declined to alarming lows so concerns are being raised for this terrestrial species.

Where does a leopard frog live?

Leopard frogs are found in most of North, Central, and South America. The northern leopard frogs can be found as far as Hudson Bay in the north along the eastern seaboard to northern Virginia and west to British Columbia, eastern Washington, and Oregon. They are found in the south in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and some parts of Nevada and California. The other species of leopard frogs are found in varied regions of Central and South America.

What is a leopard frog's habitat?

Southern leopard frogs' habitat is found near ponds, marshlands, brushlands, and forests. They prefer to stay near a body of water with aquatic vegetation, golf courses, or farmlands. They can travel further on land when it is not breeding season. The northern leopard frog can adapt to cold climates well. Because of their habitat, they are also known as meadow frogs.  

Who do leopard frogs live with?

They are mostly solitary animals that will seek mates during the mating season, and like to be in pairs when caring for their younger ones too.

How long does a leopard frog live?

The southern leopard frog's life cycle can extend up to eight to nine years in the wild, although very few survive for so long. The southern leopard frog tadpole, or froglets, has a high mortality rate of 95 percent.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season for leopard frogs is during spring, and a heavy winter will promote explosive breeding. The breeding mostly takes place in communal breeding ponds, where the males will attract the female with their signature southern leopard frog call.  After this, the female comes into the pond, and the male climbs on the female’s head, he goes on to grasp the female under her forelegs, with his sticky pads. While doing so the male frog will kick the other males who are vying for the female’s attention. The male remains in this position till the female lays her leopard frog eggs. The female may lay between 300 to 6,500 eggs which are blackish with clear jelly capsules. As the female lays the eggs, the males spray their sperm over them. Female leopard frogs will provide all the nourishment to the eggs for growth and will attach them to the underwater vegetation in a tight cluster after which they are left to develop on their own. Leopard frog tadpoles hatch from the eggs and later take the form of adult leopard frogs.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of leopard frogs is of the Least Concern. However, certain sub-species are said to be in the Near Threatened category. Loss of habitat is one of the biggest concerns for these frogs.

What do leopard frogs look like?

They have a greenish to green-brownish color on their back with large brown spots on their backsides and legs. These spots usually have a whitish or yellow border around them. There is a distinct dorsolateral fold that starts from their eyes covering their whole back.

How cute are they?

Southern leopard frogs are one of the most common animals found in laboratories for experimentation. They may be cute for some, and some may find them slimy. It is a matter of choice.

How do they communicate?

Leopard frog calling is acoustic. These frogs have specific calls for any event, including promotion, romance, forceful, re-rent, and trouble calls.

How big is a leopard frog?

Leopard frogs are known as one of the large species of frogs. It grows to a length of 4.3 in (11 cm). The females are bigger than the males.

How fast can a leopard frog leap?

Even though it is just 3 in (7 cm) in size, it can hop over 130 crawls in a single jump with its powerful legs, which are multiple times its body length. Frogs need to hop rapidly to get away from predators and catch food.

How much does a leopard frog weigh?

The plains leopard frog weighs around 0.09-0.1 lb (1.5-3 oz). Despite being so tiny, it can jump up to 36 in (3 ft) and is considered the highest jumper among its species.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and female leopard frogs do not have any specific names. They are known as males and females respectively.

What would you call a baby leopard frog?

Baby leopard frogs are called leopard frog tadpoles.

What do they eat?

Leopard frogs are carnivores and will eat pretty much anything they can fit in their mouths. They eat slow-moving crawlies, garter snakes, insects, flies, worms, smaller frogs, and even birds and strap snakes.

Are they poisonous?

Leopard frogs are little, adorable frogs that are extraordinary pets for beginners. They're not noxious like a poison dart frog. Leopard frogs are not destructive toward humans. Leopard frogs, like most frogs, produce a gentle poison as a defense mechanism against predators, yet it has zero impact on people. The genuine danger leopard frogs have is that they can contain salmonella microscopic organisms, which can be unsafe for people.

Would they make a good pet?

Leopard frogs are superb pets for new frog owners. All leopard frog pet species are easy to focus on. The most well-known assortment kept as a pet is the northern leopard frog, which is dazzling green with earthy-colored spots. The southern leopard frog is another basic pet species that is olive green or light earthy colored with dull spots. Before you get a leopard frog as a pet, make sure you have purchased a suitable leopard frog tank and are well-versed in leopard frog care.

Did you know...

Many people will be comfortable with this frog as it is the most well-known frog utilized in secondary school classes. Another interesting fact is that the northern leopard frog, especially the legs, is a culinary delicacy. When you compare the leopard frog vs. the Pickerel frog, the major difference between the species is the shape of the spots on the body. While the leopard frog has round spots in a random pattern, the Pickerel frog has square spots aligned in rows. Unlike the common pleco, the leopard frog plecostomus, grows to a size of only 3.5-4.2 in (8.8-10 cm).  

Are leopard frogs rare?

Yes, because they are rapidly decreasing in population, and southern leopard frogs when compared to the northern leopard frogs have become a rarity.

How to care for a leopard frog

These adorable frogs occasionally come out during the day, yet are principally nocturnal. While they may attempt to eat anything they can swallow, their fundamental eating routine comprises bugs. They're fairly meek and don't care for being held a lot, covering up underneath the water when they feel compromised. They are not harmful to people and don't create poisons.

A medium tank is adequate for a solitary leopard frog. However, on the off chance that you have multiple creatures, then increase the tank size accordingly. For this variety of frogs, floor space is a higher priority than stature. Leopard frogs are semi-aquatic. They prefer being on land as much as in water. Having a tank with water and land features is an amazing decision for leopard frogs. A thick piece of wood can help to set the different water and land features.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other amphibians including the Goliath frog, and the Common frog.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our Leopard frog coloring pages.