BACKYARD ANIMAL WEEK # 3

BACKYARD ANIMAL WEEK!

(WATERY WEDNESDAY)

We’re heading to a local creek to see if we can find today’s Backyard Animal! These animals can be very loud! There’s nothing better than hearing the males call on a nice summer evening! Grab a flashlight, because this amphibian is out at night!

MEET THE NORTH AMERICAN BULLFROG!

    Range/Habitat: Western-Central & Eastern United States/ wetlands, rivers,

lakes

     Diet: Carnivore: reptiles, mammals, other frogs

     Length: 3 ½-8”

     Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• North American Bullfrogs are the largest frog in North America.
• They spend most of their life in water.
• North American bullfrogs have eyes and nostrils on top of their heads. This helps the frog stay underwater but still be able to see and breathe.
• They have large ear drums.
• Female North American bullfrogs can lay several thousand eggs at a time.
• It can take a North American bullfrog tadpole up to 4 years to become to an adult.
• They are nocturnal (active at night).
• They are ambush predators.
• North American bullfrog males are very territorial.
• Only males call!

How awesome are the large frogs? It sure is fun to go looking for them at night! Do you have bullfrogs where you live? What animal do you like to hear on a warm summer night?