Fauna
Amphibian

Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Lithobates berlandieri

Also known as Mexican Leopard Frog, Berlandier's Frog

Rio Grande leopard frogs thrive along arid waterways, using broken dorsolateral ridges and dark, pale-haloed spots to blend into grassy shorelines. Males gather in calm shallows to produce distinctive chuckling trills and guttural grunts, primarily calling after warm rainstorms. Resilient and adaptable, they frequently colonize artificial cattle tanks and irrigation canals, securing footholds throughout desert landscapes.

AmphibianRiparianNocturnal
Rio Grande Leopard Frog reference1 / 7
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ken-ichi Ueda · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyBeetles, Grasshoppers, Dragonfly nymphs
Predators
  • Water snakes
  • Herons
  • Raccoons
ThreatsRiparian habitat loss, severe drought, water pollution, and invasive bullfrogs
HabitatsSprings, desert riparian corridors, streams, marshes, and cattle stock ponds
Life span3–6 years
Classification
  1. OrderAnura
  2. FamilyRanidae
  3. GenusLithobates
  4. SpeciesLithobates berlandieri
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Flashlight survey: Sweep bank vegetation after dusk to locate their brilliant golden eye reflections.
  • Listen for calls: Listen during warm, wet evenings for deep chuckles and short grating rattles.
  • Observe without handling: Avoid touching wild amphibians to prevent transferring harmful oils or lotions to their permeable skin.
Related species
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Found in Collections

Ecosystem chain

Wetland Territory

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