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Lithobates sphenocephalus[1][3] or Rana sphenocephala, [4][5][6] commonly known as the southern leopard frog, is a medium-sized anuran in the family Ranidae (the true frogs). The southern leopard frog is one of the 36 species currently or formerly classified in the Rana genus found in North America. [7] .
Found throughout Florida, with the exception of the northern Keys, in virtually any shallow freshwater habitat (sometimes even brackish), hardwood forests, and pine flatwoods. Breeds in shallow wetlands, including floodplain and bottomland swamps, marshes, ponds (natural or manmade), lakes, canals, and ditches.
The southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus or Rana sphenocephala) is a medium sized anuran in the family Ranidae (The True Frogs). It is native to eastern North America from Kansas to New York to Florida. It is also an introduced species in some areas.
Southern leopard frogs are largely nocturnal and feed mostly on live insects, which they locate visually and catch. The southern leopard frog is the most common frog in the Coastal Plain.
Southern leopard frogs live around shallow freshwater bodies like bottomland swamps, floodplains and brackish ponds in hardwood forests. They’re urbanized and can live in man-made ponds, canals and ditches too.
This attractive frog is named for its spots, which are reminiscent of the big cat. The southern leopard frog is sometimes confused with the closely related pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris), which is distinguished by its more squarish spots and bright orange or yellow coloration on the concealed surfaces of its thighs.
The southern leopard frog is a medium-sized frog with dark, rounded or oblong spots on the back. The two folds along the sides of the back are narrow, distinctly raised, yellow or tan, and run continuously to the groin.
The southern leopard frog grows to a length of 2 to 3.5 inches (about 5 to 9 cm). Its color varies from tan to several shades of brown to green. The dorsum (back) is usually covered with irregular dark brown spots between distinct light colored areas.
Range and Habitat: Leopard Frogs are found throughout the Southeast, including all of Georgia and South Carolina. They breed in virtually any shallow freshwater habitat, particularly wetlands that do not have fish and can also be found in slightly brackish water.
Description: The southern leopard frog is a slender, beautifully spotted frog that may be bright green, brown, tan, gold or bronze with scattered, well-defined dark brown spots. It has prominent ridges running along each side, long hind legs, a pointed head and a plain white belly.