Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeianus

Last updated: March 21, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Tau5/Shutterstock.com

Has loud cow-like calls!


Advertisement


Bullfrog Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Anura
Family
Ranidae
Genus
Lithobates
Scientific Name
Lithobates catesbeianus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Bullfrog Conservation Status


Bullfrog Facts

Main Prey
Insects, Spiders, Small Fish
Fun Fact
Has loud cow-like calls!
Distinctive Feature
Powerful legs and cow-like call
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, rivers and streams
Diet
Carnivore
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Favorite Food
Insects
Type
Amphibian
Average Clutch Size
20000
Slogan
Has loud cow-like calls!

Bullfrog Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Yellow
  • Black
  • Green
Skin Type
Permeable
Top Speed
10 mph
Lifespan
6 - 10 years
Weight
300g - 500g (10.5oz - 17.6oz)
Length
9cm - 15cm (3.5in - 6in)

View all of the Bullfrog images!



Share on:

A Bullfrog is a semi-aquatic frog, primarily known for the loud call sounds it makes.

Found in both Canada and the US, they are the largest frogs that naturally exist in North America. Thanks to the human migration of these frogs, bullfrogs can now be found in South America.

The definition of a bullfrog has expanded through the last few decades, and the term is now used for the giant frogs found in India, Asia, Europe, and Africa.

5 Incredible Bullfrog Facts!

  • American Bullfrogs are found in swamps, lakes, and ponds, despite being an artificially introduced species.
  • In general, the average bullfrog will jump a stretch of about 3 feet. However, they can reach distances of up to 6 feet with little effort.
  • A group of bullfrogs is known as an Army.
  • Though bullfrogs inhabit most of the United States, they don’t ordinarily live in Minnesota, Florida, Nebraska, Colorado, and South Dakota.
  • Male Bullfrogs usually make loud sound calls to attract female bullfrogs and scare off their competition.
North american bull frog

The Bullfrog’s scientific name,

Lithobates,

means “one that treads on rocks”

©Christian Ouellet/Shutterstock.com



Scientific Name

American Bullfrogs commonly go by the scientific name Lithobates catesbeianus. They belong to the kingdom Animalia and Phylum Chordata. Their order is Anura under the class Amphibia. The family is Ranidae, falling under the Lithobates genus.

The word “lithobates” comes from the Greek words “litho-“ (“stone”) and βάτης (“one that treads”), though their combined meaning essentially is “one that treads on rock” or “rock climber.” Catesbeianus, on the other hand, is a way to honor Mark Catesby. Catesby was a naturalist in the 1700s who is responsible for the first published record of the environment and animals in North America.

Evolution

Tiktaalik, extinct walking fish.

Tiktaalik, extinct walking fish.

©Dotted Yeti/Shutterstock.com

Some Lungfish evolved into frogs around 375 million years ago, during the Devonian period. It was much hotter and drier on Earth during that period – with most of the land consisting of one giant continent, called Gondwana. Some fish in the drying seas evolved to live on land in order to survive. Tiktaalik was one of the first fish with legs and spinal cords and an ancestor to the frog.

Species

African Bullfrog Teeth - Bullfrog with open mouth

African bullfrogs are one of the biggest frogs in the world.

©Stu Porter/Shutterstock.com

The definition of a bullfrog has expanded to include frogs from all over the world including:

  • Helmeted water toad (Calyptocephalella gayi), is found in Chile.
  • American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus), indigenous to North America.
  • Cane toad (Rhinella marina), is a toad that is referred to as a bullfrog in Central and South America and the Philippines.
  • African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), is found in central and southern Africa.
  • Calabresi’s bullfrog (Pyxicephalus obbianus), is found in Somalia.
  • Crowned bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus occipitalis), is found throughout Africa.
  • Edible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis), is found throughout Africa.
  • Banded bullfrog (Kaloula pulchra), is found in Southeast Asia.
  • Chinese edible frog or East Asian bullfrog, (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus), is found in China and Southeast Asia.
  • Jerdon’s bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus crassus), is found in India.
  • Indus Valley bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus), is found in Pakistan and North India.

Appearance

American Bullfrog on a lily pad

©Dwayne Towles/Shutterstock.com

Bullfrogs, which go by the scientific name Lithobates catesbeianus, come in a variety of colors including green to olive brown. Often, they feature a white to yellowish belly, though their legs are usually darker. Their loud calls can sound like a bullhorn, which is how they get their name.

If you aren’t sure if you’re looking at a bullfrog, check the ears – their tympanum (circular eardrums) is found on either side of the head, though the size will vary from male to female. Generally, the eardrum of a female is about the same size as its eye, though the eardrum of a male is much larger than its eye.

That’s not the only difference between them – female bullfrogs are slightly larger than male bullfrogs overall, but their coloring is another indication of their gender. While females have white throats, males have yellow throats, paired with a much narrower head.

When they reach their adult size, most bullfrogs are about 8 inches long, weighing approximately one pound. However, certain species can be even bigger, including the African bullfrog at 9.5 inches long. As adults, they develop webbed feet on their hind legs, giving them a solid platform from which to jump.

Behavior

African bullfrog jumping

Bullfrogs use their powerful back legs to lunge toward prey.

©Milan Zygmunt/Shutterstock.com

Bullfrogs can eat just about anything that fits their mouths. To catch their prey, they just have to quietly wait for their potential prey to pass by. Due to their alertness, they are sometimes referred to as living creatures that never sleep. Once they spot their prey, they quickly lunge with their hind legs with all their power, capturing the prey in their wide-open mouths before snapping it shut.

Male bullfrogs are known to be very territorial and are often found guarding their land. They’ll even mark their territory with their scent to prevent other animals from taking it over. Bullfrogs are good swimmers and make powerful use of their hind legs.

Bullfrogs hibernate in winter by burying themselves in huge piles of mud. They are more active during the night when they can be spotted hopping in green areas, though they prefer wet environments with permanent water like lakes or swamps. During the day, they stay near the edge of the water.

While they can bite insects and other small prey, they do not have enough jaw strength to harm a human. They can still grab hold of any extremity near their mouth with their quick reactions but aren’t generally considered dangerous.

Habitat

What Do Bullfrogs Eat?

Bullfrogs can be found at the borders of lakes, swamps, and ponds.

©iStock.com/edb3_16

Naturally, bullfrogs are native to North America, but humans have moved them to other areas around the world as their habitat. They are also found in Central America, Canada, Mexico, and Nova Scotia.

In the 1920s, bullfrogs were introduced to the Pacific Northwest, providing them with new habitats. Though they were meant to be used as a food source for local wildlife, their reproduction eventually helped them expand their home.

These frogs are usually found in several lakes in Washington. They are found in several sloughs and reservoirs as well. Usually, bullfrogs are found comfortably situated at the borders of lakes, swamps, and ponds.

Diet

Bullfrogs feed on a variety of living creatures. Their diet is primarily made of crayfish, snails, water beetles, and small turtles. Sometimes, they will also feed on dragonfly larvae, fish, other frogs, and young water birds.
Some bullfrogs have teeth on the roof of their mouth. They have a powerful tongue that helps them catch their prey and slip it into their mouths.

Predators & Threats

What do snakes eat - snake eating a frog

Large snakes prey on bullfrogs.

©Tallies/Shutterstock.com

Being an important part of the up-and-running ecosystem, bullfrogs are a source of nutrients that are fed on by a host of animals. Their major predators include large snakes, snapping turtles, and alligators. While these predators usually feed on adult bullfrogs, the tadpoles of these bullfrogs are usually eaten by several fishes in the sea.

What Eats Bullfrogs?

Due to their size, bullfrogs are easy prey for large water snakes, alligators, and snapping turtles. Adult bullfrogs are often the prey of choice for these predators, but their tadpoles are at risk of being eaten as well.
Many fish will also digest the tadpoles as their source of nutrients.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

Bullfrogs are usually solitary animals and do not like being in groups. The only time that they are found in groups is during the breeding season when they need to find their mating partner and reproduce.

The breeding season in these frogs usually runs from May to July. During this time, males mark their territories in areas where they think eggs could be laid safely to eventually hatch. They even start guarding the area, eventually protecting the eggs when they are laid.

What Do Bullfrogs Eat?

Baby bullfrogs eat tiny insects and algae.

©iStock.com/Suwatwongkham

As a way to attract a partner, the male starts making loud calls that females can hear. The calls also serve as a way to warn other rival males that they are on the hunt for their partner, deterring them from competing for the same females.

After mating, females lay masses of eggs, releasing clusters of up to 20,000 eggs at a time. These eggs are usually laid on the surface of the water, but they don’t remain eggs for long. Within four to five days, they hatch.

The babies of these frogs are called tadpoles, swimming around in the water as they mature. When they are first born, they are approximately four inches long. Since they are amphibians, they slowly grow legs that allow them to walk on land (which occurs at approximately 14 months old). However, they do not reach their adult size until they are 2 or 3 years old.
The usual lifespan of bullfrogs is about 8 to 10 years. While in captivity, some of these bullfrogs have lived to be over 16 years old.

Population

The population of these frogs is not exactly known. However, the number seems to be steady because their conservation status falls under the least concerned category.

Currently, there are no conservation efforts to preserve the population.

American Bullfrog in a pond

Bullfrogs are plentiful and enjoy a Least Concerned conservation status.

©LizzyB33/Shutterstock.com

In the Zoo

Most zoos in the United States keep these frogs in their exhibits. While they are kept in captivity, zookeepers and even pet owners will provide them with a variety of insects. While their lifespan in the wild is usually only 8 to 10 years, being kept in captivity could help them survive for up to 16 years.
Realistically, they aren’t ideal pets for several reasons. They need certain specific conditions to survive in captivity and cannot be released into a random water body to rehome them.

The giant African bullfrogs are often kept in captivity and are known to eat the tadpoles that they guard. When provoked, African bullfrogs can also sometimes attack humans.

View all 285 animals that start with B

Share on:
About the Author

After a career of working to provide opportunities for local communities to experience and create art, I am enjoying having time to write about two of my favorite things - nature and animals. Half of my life is spent outdoors, usually with my husband and sweet little fourteen year old dog. We love to take walks by the lake and take photos of the animals we meet including: otters, ospreys, Canadian geese, ducks and nesting bald eagles. I also enjoy reading, discovering books to add to my library, collecting and playing vinyl, and listening to my son's music.

Bullfrog FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Bullfrogs herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Bullfrogs are carnivorous and usually feed on crayfish, snails, water beetles, and small turtles. They also feed on dragonfly larvae, fish, other frogs, and young water birds. They also often eat the eggs of other bullfrogs if need be.

What Kingdom do Bullfrogs belong to?

Bullfrogs belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Bullfrogs belong to?

Bullfrogs belong to the class Amphibia.

What phylum to Bullfrogs belong to?

Bullfrogs belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Bullfrogs belong to?

Bullfrogs belong to the family Ranidae.

What order do Bullfrogs belong to?

Bullfrogs belong to the order Anura.

What genus do Bullfrogs belong to?

Bullfrogs belong to the genus Rana.

What type of covering do Bullfrogs have?

Bullfrogs are covered in permeable skin.

In what type of habitat do Bullfrogs live?

Bullfrogs live in lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

What is the main prey for Bullfrogs?

Bullfrogs prey on insects, spiders, and small fish.

What are some predators of Bullfrogs?

Predators of Bullfrogs include snakes, fish, and turtles.

What are some distinguishing features of Bullfrogs?

Bullfrogs have powerful legs and a cow-like call.

How many eggs do Bullfrogs lay?

Bullfrogs typically lay 20,000 eggs.

What is an interesting fact about Bullfrogs?

Bullfrogs have a loud cow-like call!

What is the scientific name for the Bullfrog?

The scientific name for the Bullfrog is Lithobates catesbeianus.

What is the lifespan of a Bullfrog?

Bullfrogs can live for 6 to 10 years.

Are bullfrogs poisonous?

Bullfrogs have toxic skin, protecting them from predators that threaten them. However, these bullfrogs are not known to be dangerous to human beings.

Are bullfrogs bad for ponds?

No, bullfrogs are not bad for ponds. They can be quite helpful in controlling rodent and insect survival rates in these areas. They are often found in several ponds and lakes around the world.

How big do bullfrogs get?

American Bullfrogs are usually about 8 inches long and weigh around one pound. Tadpoles are usually 4 inches at about 10 months of age. The African bullfrogs are giant and are usually 9.5 inches in length.

What does a bullfrog do?

Bullfrogs are semi-aquatic frogs that can leap up to six feet. They eat a variety of aquatic living creatures.

What does a bullfrog look like?

Bullfrogs are found in a variety of colors including green to olive-brown. They have white or yellow bellies, and their legs are usually dark-barred. They typically reach approximately 8 inches long, though some species grow even larger. When they are still tadpoles, bullfrogs will reach about 4 inches long by the time they are 10 months old.

What are the differences between a bullfrog and a green frog?

The greatest differences between a bullfrog and a green frog include their size and morphology. Bullfrogs weigh up to 1 pound or more while measuring 6 inches long and their dorsolateral folds turn downward after they pass the tympanum. Green frogs only weigh 3 oz and measure 3.5 inches in length while having a prominent dorsolateral ridge that runs down a significant length of the flanks on its body.

What are the differences between a bullfrog and a toad?

The greatest differences between a bullfrog and a toad include their skin texture and morphology. Bullfrogs have wet and slimy skin to prevent desiccation along with textured, somewhat bumpy skin, but toads tend to have dry, bumpy, and warty-looking skin.

How to say Bullfrog in ...
Danish
Amerikansk oksefrø
German
Amerikanischer Ochsenfrosch
English
Bullfrog
Esperanto
Taŭra rano
Spanish
Rana catesbeiana
Finnish
Härkäsammakko
French
Ouaouaron
Hungarian
Ökörbéka
Italian
Lithobates catesbeianus
Japanese
ウシガエル
Dutch
Brulkikker
English
Amerikansk oksefrosk
Polish
Żaba rycząca
Portuguese
Rana catesbeiana
Swedish
Oxgroda
Chinese
美国牛蛙

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Britannica, Available here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/bullfrog
  2. Nature Mapping, Available here: http://naturemappingfoundation.org/natmap/facts/american_bullfrog_712.html
  3. National Geographic, Available here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/amphibians/a/american-bullfrog/
  4. National Aquarium, Available here: https://aqua.org/explore/animals/american-bullfrog
  5. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithobates

Newly Added Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.