Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus utricularius) is the most abundant species of Lithobates in the coastal plain of Maryland. This frog prefers shallow wetlands, and atypically, will even tolerate some degree of brackish water. In the summer, this frog may range widely, far from breeding habitat. The rapid, repeating guttural chuckling of this frog is distinctive (Collins & Conant, 1998; Maryland DNR site).
As in other leopard frogs, the dorsolateral ridges extend to the groin, and there is a pale stripe along the upper lip. Southern Leopard has a conspicuous white spot in the center of the tympanum, which is more muted or absent on similar species. The femoral reticulum pattern of the hind legs is usually mostly light in this region (darker in south), while the newly described L. kauffeldi apparently exhibits a dark reticulum pattern (Virginia Herpetological Society site). Southern Leopard shows a more pointed snout than Atlantic Coast as well.
There are 693 records in the project database.
Southern Leopard Frog in Prince George's Co., Maryland (2/23/2023). (c) Janet Gingold, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Janet Gingold via iNaturalist.
Southern Leopard Frog in Caroline Co., Maryland (3/4/2012). (c) Bill Hubick, all rights reserved. - Bill Hubick.
Southern Leopard Frog in Worcester Co., Maryland (2/17/2020). (c) Birder20714, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - Jim Stasz.
Southern Leopard Frog in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (3/20/2022). (c) Scar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC). - scar2004 via iNaturalist.
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