Green Frog

The green frog, native to eastern North America, exists in two subspecies: the bronze frog and the northern green frog. These medium-sized amphibians typically measure between 5 to 10 cm in length and weigh approximately 28 to 85 grams. Interestingly, females are generally larger than males. In contrast, males display bright yellow throats and possess prominent ridges along their backs. Green frogs often have green heads with bodies that can vary in color from brown to gray or dark green, complemented by white bellies.

These frogs flourish in diverse freshwater habitats, including ponds, ditches, lakes, and swamps. They are adept at colonizing new water bodies when necessary. Active both during the day and at night in warm conditions, green frogs are constantly mobile. As tadpoles, they primarily consume decaying plant matter and occasionally feed on dead animals.

During the breeding season, green frogs favor permanent water bodies. Males call out and defend their territories, and the mating process includes a behavior known as amplexus, in which the male grasps the female to facilitate egg laying on submerged plants. Tadpoles are olive green and may either metamorphose into frogs within the same breeding season or overwinter and transform the following year.

Once matured, green frogs are carnivorous and prey on insects, spiders, fish, tadpoles, and more. They are quite prevalent and are not currently facing significant conservation threats; however, they are protected by law in some U.S. states. The two subspecies are Lithobates clamitans clamitans, known as the bronze frog, and Lithobates clamitans melanota, the northern green frog.