Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Leopard Frog

A common site at many of the lakes, ponds, streams and other wetlands that you find here in Minnesota is the northern leopard frog. The leopard frog is a large, typically two to four inches long, grass frog. Besides wetlands they can also often be found foraging in fields. Leopard frogs are also beneficial to man. Their diet consists mainly of insect several of which are considered pests, such as flies and mosquitoes.
Leopard frogs are more tolerant of the cold then many other amphibians. This has allowed them to survive in colder climates and claim a more northerly range, up into the middle of Canada. However since the 1970 their population has been on a steep decline. Most people believe that this is probably due to pollution and the chemicals that can be found in many waterways. Collection of leopard frogs for school dissection projects as well as consumption, some people consider frogs legs a delicacy, has also added to their decline.

6 comments:

Caroline Gill said...

Truly wonderful photography - as ever.

eileeninmd said...

Great sighting of the leopard frog, they are cool looking frogs. Great photos.

Arija said...

Such a very beautiful amphibian. I think it criminal to kill them just to eat the legs, like the practice of eating Lark's tongues.

Christina, sweden said...

Good looking frog, would not mind to se it live so I might go and visit my relatives in Minnesota for that ;-). Always nice with a story behind the photos as we find on your blog

Jane said...

Wow wonderful shot, striking markings. Thanks for sharing:)

Carol said...

Great shots through the water! I have never seen one of these frogs... very beautiful markings. Carol