Pig Frog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iPig Frog | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Lithobates grylio (Stejneger, 1901) |
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
The Pig Frog (Lithobates grylio[1][2], previously Rana grylio) is a species of aquatic frog found in the south-eastern United States, from the state of South Carolina to Texas. Some sources also refer to it as the Lagoon Frog or the Southern Bullfrog.
Contents |
[edit] Physical description
The Pig Frog is green or grey-green in color, with brown or black blotching. They have fully webbed feet, a sharply pointed nose, and a large tympanum. They are easily mistaken for various other species of the genus Rana which they share geographic range with, including the Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). They grow to a length of 3.25 to 5.5 inches.
[edit] Ecology and behavior
Almost entirely aquatic, they are found predominantly on the edges of lakes, or in cypress swamps and marshes that are heavy with vegetation. They are nocturnal, and their primary diet is crayfish, but like most frogs, they will consume almost anything they can swallow, including insects, fish, snakes, and other frogs.
Breeding takes place from spring through to summer. Eggs are laid in large masses of up to 10,000 at a time on the surface of the water. This species gets its common name from the call that males use to attract females, which sounds somewhat like a pig's grunt.
[edit] Conservation status
Aside from the generalized decline in amphibian populations that has been documented over the last several decades, the Pig Frog holds no particular conservation status and is relatively common in its range. The species has been introduced and established itself in China, Andros Island and New Providence Island in the Bahamas, as well as Puerto Rico.
[edit] References
- ^ Frost, Darrel R. 2006. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 4 (17 August 2006). Electronic Database accessible at http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA.
- ^ Frost et al. 2006. The amphibian tree of life. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. Number 297. New York. Issued March 15, 2006.
- Frogs & Toads of Georgia: Pig Frog
- Animal Diversity Web: Rana grylio
- Amphibian Species of the World: Rana grylio
- Hammerson et al (2004). Rana grylio. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 10 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern.
