Bullfrogs of Louisiana

Bullfrogs are large, true frogs with smooth skin. The back is generally olive green and often has dark brown mottling, some having small bumps. There are no dorsolateral ridges. The belly is white to cream, but often is mottled with dark spots. It has long and muscular legs with almost fully webbed hind feet.

Both sexes have large eyes. The external eardrum (tympanum) of males is twice the size of their eyes. In females the tympanums are about the same size as the eyes. Bullfrogs are the only southeastern United States frog in which the adult male is larger than the adult female.

Tadpoles can reach 6 inches long and are olive green with scattered brown dots. The tadpoles lead solitary lives and move to deeper water before metamorphosis.

Bullfrog in the Reeds by PhotoWolf

Bullfrog Habitat photo is public domain.

Bullfrogs are found in a variety of wetland habitats from man made to natural permanent water bodies. They usually prefer warmer bodies of water.

Bullfrogs are mostly nocturnal, but can sometimes be seen sunning or sitting in the shallows along the edge of the water.

Bullfrogs usually hibernate in mud underwater, but some individuals will hibernate in boroughs on land. Bullfrogs emerge from hibernation later than other species of frogs.

Bullfrogs will eat just about anything that they can swallow. Some of the reported prey includes: leeches, centipedes, scorpions, fish, other frogs, small alligators, turtles, snakes, bats, birds, rodents and other small mammals.

Ambush is the primary hunting method of these large frogs. They may also follow the distress calls of other frogs and movement in the water. Cannibalism of smaller individuals occurs in dense populations.

Bullfrog Print by Snappler73

The loud, bass note of the advertisement call which sounds like "jug-o-rum" or sometimes "more rummmm" or "brrruuuumm" is usually given while the frog is sitting in shallow water.

Male Bullfrogs emit a "'hoot" territorial call when approached by another male. The distress call is given with the mouth open when the frog is attacked. Some believe that the scream is given to attract mammal or bird predators that may interrupt the attack so that the Bullfrog can escape.

Bullfrog Tadpole photo credit creative commons

In Louisiana, breeding occurs from March through October. males are very territorial and will wrestle with other males for dominance. Male Bullfrogs are smaller in size when they mature at the age of 1-2 years after metamorphosis. Females mature 2-3 years after metamorphosis.

Females choose a territory of a male. Older females have been known to call like males to attract more potential mates.

Mating and egg laying occurs in the thick vegetation of shallow permanent water. A female may lay as many as 20,000 eggs per clutch, which are spred out in thin sheets on top of the water and can cover an area 3 feet square. The tadpoles emerge 3-5 days after the eggs are laid. This stage can last from a few months to 2 years.

Moccasin Eating Bullfrog by PhotoWolf

Humans eat Bullfrog legs. Other predators of adults include alligators, snakes, large wading birds and some mammals like raccoons. Leeches, fish and salamanders prey on the eggs and tadpoles, however many predators do not find the eggs tasty, so bullfrogs are able to exist in bodies of water with fish.

It is believed by some that Bullfrogs are partially resistant to the venom of Cottonmouths and Copperheads. When caught by a predator, the Bullfrog will emit a piercing scream.

Bull frogs can live up to 8-10 years and some have been reported living to 15 years.

Since bullfrogs require permanent aquatic habitat, destruction of the wetlands or pollution of the waters can reduce their population. However in Louisiana, Bullfrogs are present in most peramanent water bodies.

Changes in the environment caused by humans such as contamination with pesticides, ph changes and reduction of permanent water bodies will adversely affect Bullfrog populations. In the southeastern United States, Bullfrogs are an important part of the ecosystem. But in the western U.S., where they are an introduced species, they threaten many species of native frogs and thrive in the permanent man made water bodies of golf courses and resorts.

Bullfrog Thoughts Nature Photography Postcard by SmilinEyesTreasures

Even though we don't gig frogs and eat their legs, I would be remiss if I didn't add a section about frog legs as a food. If you put enough Cajun and Creole spices on just about anything, it will taste good.

Fried Frog Legs
by Tony Chachere from Louisiana's Original Creole Seafood Recipes

12 frog legs
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup sifted bread crumbs
1 cup chopped parsley
oil for frying
salt and pepper
sliced lemons and parsley to garnish

Scald frog legs for about 3 minutes in boiling water with 1/2 cup lemon juice and teaspoon of salt. Remove, dry with a clean towel and season with Tony's Creole Seasoning or salt and pepper. Dip in a batter made of 2 well-beaten eggs, then roll in bread crumbs. Cover frog legs well and drop in oil heated to boiling point. Fry to a golden brown. Remove from the oil and drain well on paper towels.

Fry parsley for 1 minute. Place a folded white napkin in a dish, lay frog legs on it and garnish with fried parsley and sliced lemon; or place frog legs in a bed of fried parsley and garnish with parsley and slices of lemon. (Serves 6)

Frog themes are great for scrap booking and also for kids crafts. Here are a few ideas that you may want to try.