Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Lithobates berlandieri

Reptiles & Amphibians5.7 to 11.4 cmIn the app

Adult length 2.25-4.5 inches. Dorsal surface coloring occurs in shades of gray, green, and brown, and is covered in irregular dark brown spots with olive green or tan edg…

Rio Grande Leopard Frog illustration

How to identify

Adult length 2.25-4.5 inches. Dorsal surface coloring occurs in shades of gray, green, and brown, and is covered in irregular dark brown spots with olive green or tan edges. Dorsolateral folds in front of the groin are prominent and pale yellow in color. Ventral side is cream colored with pale yellow coloring around upper thighs.

Range

Southwestern United States to central Mexico. Range extends north from central Texas and south to Veracruz, Mexico. West into New Mexico and east to Texas.

Habitat

Primarily aquatic. Found mostly in streams and rivers but may also live near springs, ponds, agricultural water stores, and ditches. Fossorial during winter.

Variations

Males: Well-developed external vocal sacs and obvious vestigial oviducts.

Similar species

Name and etymology

Berlandieri: Honoring Jean Louis Berlandier

At a glance

Size

5.7 to 11.4 cm

Range

Southwestern United States to central Mexico. Range extends north from central Texas and south to Veracruz, Mexico. West into…

Habitat

Primarily aquatic. Found mostly in streams and rivers but may also live near springs, ponds, agricultural water stores, and d…

Range map

Range map for Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Sources & further reading