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The
American Bull Frog is an amphibian. The word amphibian means "double
life". Gelatinous eggs are deposited in or hear the water that hatch
into aquatic larvae. Bullfrogs are vocal, have smooth skin and a
squatty appearance. Back color varies from green, gray, brown or
black. The snout is green and belly is white with gray mottling.
There is webbing between the toes, and they are the only species of true
frogs that do not have dorsa lateral folds. Instead they have folds
of skin on the rear edge of the tympanic membrane (ear drum) Adult
length is 6 to 7 inches long. When females
respond to the males calls, the male clasps the body of the female and the
eggs are fertilized externally. The gelatin eggs are deposited in
the water where they develop through a larval (tadpole) stage that will
last one to two years, depending on the elevation. They breath
through gills that are not visible, and eat aquatic plants. The hind
legs develop first, followed by the front legs and lungs. The tail
becomes smaller . Newly transformed fogs are called froglets.
Frogs consume large numbers of insects, and are consumed by predators of
various types. They are important in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
If American Bullfrogs are native to your area, capture a few tadpoles for
your backyard pond. They will keep the algae count down, and it is
interesting to watch them transform from tadpole to frog. Never
introduce a species into the environment that is not native to the area. |
