Green / Bronze Frog (Lithobates clamitans)

Green/Bronze Frog’s Call

Description: The green/bronze frog are true frogs that grow up to 3 inches in size.  They can appear in various shades of brown or green, with many individuals displaying both colors.  The belly is mostly mottled white, and the chin and throat sometimes appear gray.  Males’ chins are typically yellowish. The skin is smooth but may have small bumps.

Range and habitat: They are found throughout the southeast. There are two recognized subspecies (L. clamitans clamitans), the bronze frog, and (L. clamintans melanota), the green frog. The green frog (L. c. melanota) is found in the more northern reaches of the range, while the bronze (L. c. clamintans) is found in the southern reaches. There are green and bronze subspecies crosses in parts of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina.

Green/bronze frogs are normally found in a variety of aquatic habitats, usually around permanent bodies of fresh water.

Habits: Green/bronze frogs are active throughout the day and evening hours. Adults stay close to permanent water sources only having a range of one acre.  Interestingly green/bronze frogs hibernate underwater at locations that do not freeze including moving water. They will also overwinter under damp foliage and ground litter.

Food: They have varied diet of insects, spiders, worms, crayfish, millipedes, centipedes, smaller frogs, and even slugs. Tadpoles eat algae and plant detritus but occasionally eat frog eggs.

Reproduction: Green/bronze frogs mate in permanent bodies of water from early March until late September. Males will establish and guard territories, warning other males away with warning calls, posturing, and physical combat. A single female can lay between 1,000-7,000 eggs. Eggs float on the surface of the water and may form thin sheets up to a foot wide. Tadpoles take three months to develop into froglets.

Conservation status: This species is widespread, so there is no immediate concern. Like many frog species, the green/bronze frog population may decline due to habitat loss and destruction.

Pertinent References:

Dorcas, M. and Gibbons, W. 2008. Frogs and toads of the southeast. University of Georgia Press.

Account author: K. M. Ford

(Photo by J. D. Willson)

(Photo by J. D. Willson)

(Photo by J. D. Willson)

(Photo by J. D. Willson)