Our Local Southern Leopard Frog

 

On our very first herpetology class field trip to the Caw Caw Interpretive Center, we found this beautiful frog in one of the minnow traps previously set up. Thanks to our trusty Peterson Field Guide, we were easily able to identify this little guy as a Southern Leopard Frog, scientific name Lithobates sphenocephalus, a local species found here in Charleston, South Carolina. You can tell by the pointed snout, the dorsolateral ridges that continue to the groin, the light spots on the eardrums, and of course the leopard like rounded spots. We were unable to identify this particular specimen as a male or female, but for those interested, you can tell as the males have paired vocal sacs. 

Southern Leopard Frogs are part of the Family Ranidae, which is easy to see, as they have the characteristic slim waist, long legs, and smooth skin. These guys can be found in most freshwater areas, as well as somewhat brackish marshes across most of the East Coast, into eastern Texas, and even up into Missouri. We actually found it in a marshy, somewhat murky area. It was really fun to actually get in the mud and water with the long waders on and do some real herping in the field. I've never had the privilege of seeing one of these guys in person before, let alone hold one! After we were done observing, we left everyone back where we found them. It was great to see one of these guys in their natural habitat and I'm really excited to see what else we find!