Southern Leopard Frog
(Rana sphenocephala utricularia) |
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DESCRIPTION: It can be distinguished by an
unbroken dorsolateral ridge, a light marking on the center of
the tympanic membrane. The tympanic membrane, or typanum, can be
called the frog's eardrum. It is composed of nonglandular skin
and unlike our own eardrums it is situated externally on the
frog. It is located in most species directly behind the eye.
They function in a similar fashion to our own eardrum.
n addition, the Southern Leopard Frog usually
has less side markings and the spots are smaller. Their head is
more pointed than the Northern Leopard Frog.
RANGE: The Southern Leopard Frog ranges from
extreme southern New York south along the coast to Florida. To
the west, they range from eastern Texas north to eastern Kansas.
Their northerly range is Missouri, southern Illinois and
Indiana, and then south through Kentucky and Tennessee.
HABITAT: It will breed in a variety of habitats including
ditches, wet meadows, seasonal ponds, wooded swamps and sediment
basins. |
