American Bullfrog - Revision history

Juliogod: /* Range and Habitat */

2025-05-09T18:25:01Z

Range and Habitat

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:25, 9 May 2025
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	== '''Range and Habitat''' ==		== '''Range and Habitat''' ==

	[[File:~~Blandings-Range-Map~~.PNG\| ~~600px~~ \| border \| Native Range \|]]		[[File:American bullfrog range.PNG\| 400px \| border \| Native and Introduced Range \|]]

	=== Range ===		=== Range ===
	The American Bullfrog is native to the eastern part of North America. Its range extends as far north as Nova Scotia to as south as Florida, from the Atlantic coast to as far west as Kansas. They have been introduced to western parts of North America like Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, California, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, and Washington. They have also been introduced to Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. They have also been introduced into Europe (Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, France), Asia (India, China, South Korea, Japan), and other countries such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba. <ref>Liz McKercher, and Denise R. Gregoire, 2023, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=71, Revision Date: 12/2/2022, Access Date: 3/10/2023</ref> Possible reasons for introduction include intentionally using them as biological control agents or as a source of food. People who own them as pets may also release them intentionally.		The American Bullfrog is native to the eastern part of North America. Its range extends as far north as Nova Scotia to as south as Florida, from the Atlantic coast to as far west as Kansas. They have been introduced to western parts of North America like Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, California, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, and Washington. They have also been introduced to Mexico, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. They have also been introduced into Europe (Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, France), Asia (India, China, South Korea, Japan), and other countries such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Cuba. <ref>Liz McKercher, and Denise R. Gregoire, 2023, Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=71, Revision Date: 12/2/2022, Access Date: 3/10/2023</ref> Possible reasons for introduction include intentionally using them as biological control agents or as a source of food. People who own them as pets may also release them intentionally.

Juliogod: /* Range and Habitat */

2025-05-09T18:21:59Z

Range and Habitat

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:21, 9 May 2025
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	== '''Range and Habitat''' ==		== '''Range and Habitat''' ==

	[[File:Blandings-Range-Map.PNG\| ~~500px~~ \| border \| Native Range \|]]		[[File:Blandings-Range-Map.PNG\| 600px \| border \| Native Range \|]]

	=== Range ===		=== Range ===

Juliogod: /* Range and Habitat */

2025-05-09T18:21:22Z

Range and Habitat

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:21, 9 May 2025
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	== '''Range and Habitat''' ==		== '''Range and Habitat''' ==

	[[File:~~American bullfrog range~~.PNG\| ~~400px~~ \| border \| Native ~~and Introduced~~ Range \|]]		[[File:Blandings-Range-Map.PNG\| 500px \| border \| Native Range \|]]

	=== Range ===		=== Range ===
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	=== Habitat ===		=== Habitat ===
	American Bullfrogs live in or near areas of water like lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, streams, and rivers. They prefer warm, still, and shallow freshwater with lots of vegetation. Bullfrogs are somewhat tolerant of colder temperatures and can hibernate in mud and the bottom layer underwater during freezing temperatures.		American Bullfrogs live in or near areas of water like lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, streams, and rivers. They prefer warm, still, and shallow freshwater with lots of vegetation. Bullfrogs are somewhat tolerant of colder temperatures and can hibernate in mud and the bottom layer underwater during freezing temperatures.

	== '''Reproduction''' ==		== '''Reproduction''' ==

Njhenshu: The LinkTitles extension automatically added links to existing pages (https://github.com/bovender/LinkTitles).

2025-05-01T18:44:14Z

The LinkTitles extension automatically added links to existing pages (https://github.com/bovender/LinkTitles).

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:44, 1 May 2025
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	== '''Diet''' ==		== '''Diet''' ==
	The American Bullfrog is a carnivore and is known to eat a variety of [[organisms]] including [[invertebrates]] such as snails, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and [[insects]]. However, due to the opportunistic behavior of the American Bullfrog, they have been found to eat species of rodents, small snakes, and birds. They can be cannibalistic and eat frogs, tadpoles, and the eggs of fish or [[salamanders]]. Tadpoles mostly eat aquatic plants and algae and will eat larger portions as they grow.		The American Bullfrog is a carnivore and is known to eat a variety of [[organisms]] including [[invertebrates]] such as snails, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and [[insects]]. However, due to the opportunistic behavior of the American Bullfrog, they have been found to eat species of rodents, small snakes, and birds. They can be cannibalistic and eat frogs, tadpoles, and the eggs of fish or [[salamanders]]. Tadpoles mostly eat aquatic plants and [[algae]] and will eat larger portions as they grow.

	=== '''Feeding''' ===		=== '''Feeding''' ===

Juliakal at 20:39, 30 March 2025

2025-03-30T20:39:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 30 March 2025
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	(Lithobates catesbeianus), or the American Bullfrog as it is more commonly known, is a member of the true frog family native to Eastern North America. With its large size compared to other frog species, the species is able to inhabit a wide variety of aquatic environments with relative success. The American Bullfrog gets its name from the male call during breeding season resembling a bull's bellow.		''Lithobates catesbeianus'', or the American Bullfrog as it is more commonly known, is a member of the true frog family native to Eastern North America. With its large size compared to other frog species, the species is able to inhabit a wide variety of aquatic environments with relative success. The American Bullfrog gets its name from the male call during breeding season resembling a bull's bellow.
	{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;		{\| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; float:right; margin-left: 10px;
	\|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)\|'''Scientific Classification'''		\|+ !colspan="2" style="min-width:12em; text-align: center; background-color: rgb(235,235,210)\|'''Scientific Classification'''

Colekrie at 16:35, 6 March 2025

2025-03-06T16:35:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:35, 6 March 2025
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	The American Bullfrog is a carnivore and is known to eat a variety of [[organisms]] including [[invertebrates]] such as snails, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and [[insects]]. However, due to the opportunistic behavior of the American Bullfrog, they have been found to eat species of rodents, small snakes, and birds. They can be cannibalistic and eat frogs, tadpoles, and the eggs of fish or [[salamanders]]. Tadpoles mostly eat aquatic plants and algae and will eat larger portions as they grow.		The American Bullfrog is a carnivore and is known to eat a variety of [[organisms]] including [[invertebrates]] such as snails, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and [[insects]]. However, due to the opportunistic behavior of the American Bullfrog, they have been found to eat species of rodents, small snakes, and birds. They can be cannibalistic and eat frogs, tadpoles, and the eggs of fish or [[salamanders]]. Tadpoles mostly eat aquatic plants and algae and will eat larger portions as they grow.

	=== ''' Feeding ''' ===		=== '''Feeding''' ===
	American Bullfrogs are observed to be ambush and opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of [[animals]] unsuspecting of their presence. Once the prey has been spotted, the bullfrog will move towards the prey using a series of hops to sneak up on its prey. The bullfrog uses its tongue to catch the prey and takes a bite from its strong jaw. Smaller prey is then consumed and engulfed using its mouth. American Bullfrogs have been observed to use their front legs as hands to assist in eating larger prey that are not able to fit inside the mouth. Bullfrogs are observed to asphyxiate larger prey after a successful catch as a defense mechanism. This behavior mimics other forms of feeding from other frogs, most notably		American Bullfrogs are observed to be ambush and opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of [[animals]] unsuspecting of their presence. Once the prey has been spotted, the bullfrog will move towards the prey using a series of hops to sneak up on its prey. The bullfrog uses its tongue to catch the prey and takes a bite from its strong jaw. Smaller prey is then consumed and engulfed using its mouth. American Bullfrogs have been observed to use their front legs as hands to assist in eating larger prey that are not able to fit inside the mouth. Bullfrogs are observed to asphyxiate larger prey after a successful catch as a defense mechanism. This behavior mimics other forms of feeding from other frogs, most notably
	a [[wood frog]].<ref>Cardini, F. (1974). Specializations of the Feeding Response of the Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, for the Capture of Prey Submerged in Water. M.S. Thesis, U. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA</ref>		a [[wood frog]].<ref>Cardini, F. (1974). Specializations of the Feeding Response of the Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, for the Capture of Prey Submerged in Water. M.S. Thesis, U. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA</ref>

Colekrie: /* Feeding */

2025-03-06T16:34:57Z

Feeding

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 6 March 2025
Line 72:		Line 72:
	The American Bullfrog is a carnivore and is known to eat a variety of [[organisms]] including [[invertebrates]] such as snails, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and [[insects]]. However, due to the opportunistic behavior of the American Bullfrog, they have been found to eat species of rodents, small snakes, and birds. They can be cannibalistic and eat frogs, tadpoles, and the eggs of fish or [[salamanders]]. Tadpoles mostly eat aquatic plants and algae and will eat larger portions as they grow.		The American Bullfrog is a carnivore and is known to eat a variety of [[organisms]] including [[invertebrates]] such as snails, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, and [[insects]]. However, due to the opportunistic behavior of the American Bullfrog, they have been found to eat species of rodents, small snakes, and birds. They can be cannibalistic and eat frogs, tadpoles, and the eggs of fish or [[salamanders]]. Tadpoles mostly eat aquatic plants and algae and will eat larger portions as they grow.

	=== Feeding ===		=== ''' Feeding ''' ===
	American Bullfrogs are observed to be ambush and opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of [[animals]] unsuspecting of their presence. Once the prey has been spotted, the bullfrog will move towards the prey using a series of hops to sneak up on its prey. The bullfrog uses its tongue to catch the prey and takes a bite from its strong jaw. Smaller prey is then consumed and engulfed using its mouth. American Bullfrogs have been observed to use their front legs as hands to assist in eating larger prey that are not able to fit inside the mouth. Bullfrogs are observed to asphyxiate larger prey after a successful catch as a defense mechanism. This behavior mimics other forms of feeding from other frogs, most notably		American Bullfrogs are observed to be ambush and opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of [[animals]] unsuspecting of their presence. Once the prey has been spotted, the bullfrog will move towards the prey using a series of hops to sneak up on its prey. The bullfrog uses its tongue to catch the prey and takes a bite from its strong jaw. Smaller prey is then consumed and engulfed using its mouth. American Bullfrogs have been observed to use their front legs as hands to assist in eating larger prey that are not able to fit inside the mouth. Bullfrogs are observed to asphyxiate larger prey after a successful catch as a defense mechanism. This behavior mimics other forms of feeding from other frogs, most notably
	a [[wood frog]].<ref>Cardini, F. (1974). Specializations of the Feeding Response of the Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, for the Capture of Prey Submerged in Water. M.S. Thesis, U. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA</ref>		a [[wood frog]].<ref>Cardini, F. (1974). Specializations of the Feeding Response of the Bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, for the Capture of Prey Submerged in Water. M.S. Thesis, U. of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA</ref>

Colekrie: /* Invasion */

2025-03-06T16:34:29Z

Invasion

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:34, 6 March 2025
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	== '''Invasion ''' ==		== '''Invasion ''' ==

	The American Bullfrog is an invasive species that was introduced via escapes from ~~aquiculture as well as~~ intentional ~~release~~ from research facilities and ~~bullfrogs being kept as~~ pets being rereleased into the wild. ~~These invasive frogs~~ spread diseases, create more competition for native species, ~~caused~~ damage to ecosystems and farm crops, and potentially hurting the quality of our drinking water.<ref>"American Bullfrog"https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/fish-and-other-vertebrates/american-bullfrog</ref>		The American Bullfrog is an invasive species that was brought up into the Western United States in the early 1900s. The American Bullfrog was introduced via escapes from aquaculture, intentional releases from research facilities and pets being rereleased into the wild. As bullfrogs began to invade these new ecosystems they began to spread diseases, create more competition for native species, cause damage to ecosystems and farm crops, and potentially hurting the quality of our drinking water. <ref>"American Bullfrog"https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/fish-and-other-vertebrates/american-bullfrog</ref>

	== '''Management ''' ==		== '''Management ''' ==

Colekrie at 23:35, 5 March 2025

2025-03-05T23:35:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:35, 5 March 2025
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	== '''Predators''' ==		== '''Predators''' ==
	American Bullfrogs are an essential prey item for many birds, predatory fish, otters, and other amphibians. Herons like the Great Blue Heron and Great Egrets, smaller birds like the common and belted kingfisher, turtles, water snakes and raccoons are also predators. American Bullfrog eggs are famously bad tasting to many predators that typically consume frog and fish eggs as part of their diet. Tadpoles are not eaten by predators because they have an undesirable taste. However, predators that aren't deterred by the taste tend to have an easier time spotting out Bullfrog tadpoles due to their activity. Bullfrogs tend to be loud when attacked by a predator, warning other bullfrogs in the area to the potential danger and many will retreat to deeper water.		American Bullfrogs are an essential prey item for many birds, predatory fish, otters, and other amphibians. Herons like the Great Blue Heron and Great Egrets, smaller birds like the common and belted kingfisher, turtles, water snakes and raccoons are also predators. American Bullfrog eggs are famously bad tasting to many predators that typically consume frog and fish eggs as part of their diet. Tadpoles are not eaten by predators because they have an undesirable taste. However, predators that aren't deterred by the taste tend to have an easier time spotting out Bullfrog tadpoles due to their activity. Bullfrogs tend to be loud when attacked by a predator, warning other bullfrogs in the area to the potential danger and many will retreat to deeper water.

			== '''Invasion ''' ==

			The American Bullfrog is an invasive species that was introduced via escapes from aquiculture as well as intentional release from research facilities and bullfrogs being kept as pets being rereleased into the wild. These invasive frogs spread diseases, create more competition for native species, caused damage to ecosystems and farm crops, and potentially hurting the quality of our drinking water.<ref>"American Bullfrog"https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/fish-and-other-vertebrates/american-bullfrog</ref>

	== '''Management ''' ==		== '''Management ''' ==

Colekrie at 23:33, 5 March 2025

2025-03-05T23:33:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:33, 5 March 2025
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	<ref>“American Bullfrog.” National Aquarium, https://aqua.org/explore/animals/american-bullfrog#:~:text=During%20the%20cold%20winter%20season,portions%20of%20streams%20and%20rivers.</ref>		<ref>“American Bullfrog.” National Aquarium, https://aqua.org/explore/animals/american-bullfrog#:~:text=During%20the%20cold%20winter%20season,portions%20of%20streams%20and%20rivers.</ref>
	<ref>“Eggs, Tadpoles and Development of American Bullfrog - Lithobates Catesbeianus.” Californiaherps.com, Reptiles and Amphibians of California, https://californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/l.catesbeianus.tadpoles.html.</ref>		<ref>“Eggs, Tadpoles and Development of American Bullfrog - Lithobates Catesbeianus.” Californiaherps.com, Reptiles and Amphibians of California, https://californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/l.catesbeianus.tadpoles.html.</ref>
	<ref>https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/fish-and-other-vertebrates/american-bullfrog</ref>		<ref>"American Bullfrog"https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/aquatic/fish-and-other-vertebrates/american-bullfrog</ref>