Northern Leopard Frog

​Identification:

Northern Leopard Frogs can be found only in the Bluegrass Region and in counties bordering the Ohio River in northeastern Kentucky. These quick, agile medium-sized frogs are mostly bright green, tan, or light brown above with varying numbers of round or elongated dark spots that often have light-colored borders. There is usually a single dark spot on the snout in front of the eyes, and a light stripe is present on the upper jaw. The eardrum may be light-centered but lacks the distinct white spot seen in our other leopard frogs. The prominent dorsolateral folds are light-colored, complete, and narrow.

Northern Leopard Frogs mostly live in grasslands, wet meadows, old fields, and pastures. These frogs breed from early March through mid-April in shallow ponds and open wetlands with emergent vegetation, and the breeding season usually lasts only 2-3 weeks. 

The male advertisement call is a long, drawn-out snore lasting several seconds, followed by various soft grunts or chuckles.