The southern leopard frog is common to abundant throughout most of its range in North Carolina, and is probably the most common frog in the Coastal Plain. The dorsum has relatively few large brown spots on a green or lighter brown background; frequently, one spot is present on top of the head. The southern frogs breed year round, and the northern frogs from March to June, laying egg masses with up to 20,000 eggs each in shallow water (Behler and King, 1979). Urbanization, destruction of wetlands and water pollution, particularly from pesticide runoff, have reduced or eliminated some local populations. The southern leopard frog can be distinguished by several easily seen characters. Light spot on external eardrum. In general, it has a long, pointed head, a slender body, and long back legs. The Southern Leopard Frog is generally green or light brown in color, with dark brown or black blotching (that is the origin of their common name). Their native habitat range extends from temperate and subtropical North America to … photo by C.A. Dorsolateral ridge extends from eye down back. Continuous pale dorsolateral fold, narrower and whiter than in the Northern Leopard Frog, extends from each eye along back. Other identifying characteristics are the pointed snout, light spot on the eardrum, unbroken ridges along each side of the back, and the light line on the upper jaw that extends from tip of snout to behind the front leg Credit : John MacGregor The upper jaw has a light, sometimes yellow stripe. TUCSON (KVOA) – The Chiricahua Leopard Frog is one of the many native species to southern Arizona. It even lives in slightly brackish marshes along the East Coast. Description: Southern Leopard Frogs (Rana [Lithobates] spenocephala) are mid-sized frogs-- 2 - 3.5 in (5.1 - 8.9 cm), that are brownish to green in ground color with large dark green to brown spots on its back, sides, and legs (spots on the sides and legs may be smaller than those on the back). Southern Leopard Frog Caption : The Southern Leopard Frog gets its name from the spots on its skin. The southern leopard frog is another common pet species that is olive green or light brown with dark spots. The southern leopard frog is classified as a nongame species with no open season. Description: Medium-sized (5-9 cm SVL) light tan, green, brown, or mixed green and brown frog. Now, the Center for Biological Diversity says it's on its way to being endangered. It is unlawful for any person to take, or have in possession, any nongame mammal or bird unless that person has a collection license or is collecting fewer than 5 reptiles or fewer than 25 amphibians that are not endangered, threatened, or special concerned species. The southern leopard frog is found in shallow freshwater marshes, in slightly brackish marshes along the coast, and densely vegetated upland in the summer (Conant and Collins, 1998). The southern leopard frog is common to abundant throughout most of its range in North Carolina, and is probably the most common frog in the Coastal Plain. Like the northern leopard frog, this frog can venture far from permanent water during periods of summer rains and utilize meadows and other terrestrial habitats. Southern Leopard Frog Description . No dark spot on snout. Head is narrow and pointier than northern leopard frog. These frogs are usually smaller than their close relative the Northern Leopard Frog and have fewer spots. 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