## Southern Leopard Frog - Rana sphenocephala

- Diagnostic Features:
  - Size: 2 to 3.5 inches (50 to 90 mm)
  - Color:
    - Brown or green, or combination
  - Other:
    - Long, pointed head
    - Dark spots on dorsum between light dorsolateral ridges and on sides of body
    - Spots are round and outlined by lighter color
    - Distinct light spot on tympanum
    - Light line on upper jaw
    - Belly white
    - Distinct dorsolateral folds extend full length of body
  - Sexual Dimorphism:
    - Males smaller than females
    - Males have paired vocal sacs
    - Males have enlarged forearms and thumbs
  - Similar species:
    - Pickerel Frogs have more angular dorsal spots and bright yellow or orange color on the concealed and ventral surfaces of the hindlegs
- Natural History:
  - Habitat:
    - This frog prefers shallow, freshwater habitats.
    - It is sometimes seen in brackish waters along the coasts.
    - It is well camouflaged in vegetated areas.
  - Behavior:
    - Nocturnal, it hides during the day in vegetation at the edge of the water.
    - It avoids predators by entering the water and swimming away underwater.
    - Typically jumps are high and in groups of threes
  - Breeding:
    - Breeding occurs fall, winter, and early spring.
    - Eggs are laid just below the water's surface in a firm cluster (about 90 mm wide and 40 mm thick)
    - Several hundred eggs to the cluster
    - Often breeding frogs congregate and lay numerous clusters of eggs in a small area.
    - Newly hatched tadpoles may school at first
- Voice: Sonogram : Call ( Jackson, & Burke Counties )
  - Short, guttural trill at rate of 10-12/second
  - Paired vocal sacs that are spherical when inflated
  - Has a variety of assorted call variations given during breeding compared to Pickerel Frog's single call, and calls carry better than that species.
- Tadpoles:
  - Newly hatched tadpoles about 20 to 25 mm long
  - Reach a length of 65 to 70 mm before transformation
  - Tadpole stage: 90 days
  - Tail bears prominent dark spots when metamorphosis is imminent
  - Transformed size: 20 mm
  - LTRF usually 2/3; regardless of size, stage or range
  - iris always with iridophores in life; length of one side of A-2/width of medial gap ca. 0.7; P-2/P-3 ca. 1.5; P-1 without medial gap; midventral marginal papillae medium; few submarginal papillae laterally; dorsal fin originates near tail-body junction and forms low to medium arch; white lip line usually present; coloration variable from uniformly dark to uniformly pale to considerable subtle mottling, fins clear to boldly marked; usually a spring breeder in lentic, often temporary sites north of latitude of north-central Kentucky for R. pipiens and south of that latitude for R. sphenocephala (no accurate means of distinguishing between R. areolata and R. sphenocephala + R. pipiens and between R. pipiens and R. sphenocephala)
- Range:
  - In North America, this frog is found in southeastern United States, from as far north as New Jersey south and east to Texas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
  - In Georgia, it is found throughout the state.

  - In Light Blue: Williamson, Gerald K. & Moulis, Robert A., Distribution of Amphibians and Reptiles in Georgia, Special Publication No. 3, Savannah Science Museum, Inc. Savannah, Georgia, 1994
  - In Green: Sound Recordings
  - In Yellow: From Both '94 study and Sound Recordings
  - In Magenta: Photograph, not found by '94, may or may not be sound record
  - In Medium Blue: Photograph and in '94 study, may or may not be sound record
  - In Orange: County Record by other Herp Atlas Volunteers
  - In Red: US Distribution from various sources

June 28, 2003 - wwknapp@mindspring.com