Family Ranidae – “True Frogs”
The most stereotypical frogs: smooth skin, webbed feet, large and powerful legs, mostly aquatic. The family is found throughout the world, but all 10 species in the survey were native to the US; this is similar to Europe and Japan, which also hold primarily their own Ranidae. They are from either the genus Rana or Lithobates, depending on your taxonomy; zoos may sign them as either.
Note on the asterisks: I adjusted the abundance up from the actual survey numbers, based on their prevalence in underrepresented facilities such as local nature centers and science museums.
American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) – Very Common*
The most common and most recognizable of the family. The bullfrog (as they are simply called here) is a big part of American culture, especially in the southeast where they are abundant. They are the second most reported amphibian here on iNaturalist; they are commonly eaten in parts of the country; they are frequently used for dissection in biology classes; and many keep them as pets. The survey found two dozen zoos and aquariums holding the species - including some major facilities - but there are quite a few more in hole-in-the-wall places across the country... and frankly, your odds of seeing a wild one in a zoo pond are decent too!
Photographed in the wild by @ChunkyMunky pengopus
Leopard Frogs
Status in US Zoos: Common*
A number of species within the genus have been given this name due to the leopard-like spots on their skin. The two main species found in the survey were Northern Leopard Frog (L. pipiens) and Southern Leopard Frog (L. sphenocephalus). As with the bullfrog, the abundance was adjusted up for these frogs based on their prevalence in nature centers and the like, though they can be found in traditional zoos and aquariums a decent amount too.
Southern Leopard Frogs; taken at Oklahoma Aquarium by @geomorph
Other species were picked up by the survey, all in numbers ranging from Uncommon to Rare; many of them are in small local facilities such as nature and science centers.
Plains Leopard Frog (L. blairi)
Gopher Frog (L. capito)
Green Frog (L. clamitans)
Pickerel Frog (L. palustris)
Wood Frog (L. sylvaticus)
Lowland Leopard Frog (L. yavapaiensis)
California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii)
Family Pyxicephalidae
African Bullfrog (or Pixie Frog) (Pyxicephalus adspersus) – Common
Nicknamed “pixie frog” for its scientific name rather than its appearance – as you’ll see from the photo below, its resemblance to pixies is lacking at best. This giant frog (9.5 inches long, weight 3 lbs) is also called a bullfrog, but is not part of the same family as American bullfrogs. With their bulbous body, stolid state and voracious appetite, they are a bit reminiscent of Pacman frogs – but are much larger and have a more uniform booger complexion rather than colorful patterning. They are common in the pet trade, where they presumably eat all of your other pets followed by your hand.
Taken at San Diego Zoo Safari Park by @Zoological Point
The most stereotypical frogs: smooth skin, webbed feet, large and powerful legs, mostly aquatic. The family is found throughout the world, but all 10 species in the survey were native to the US; this is similar to Europe and Japan, which also hold primarily their own Ranidae. They are from either the genus Rana or Lithobates, depending on your taxonomy; zoos may sign them as either.
Note on the asterisks: I adjusted the abundance up from the actual survey numbers, based on their prevalence in underrepresented facilities such as local nature centers and science museums.
American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) – Very Common*
The most common and most recognizable of the family. The bullfrog (as they are simply called here) is a big part of American culture, especially in the southeast where they are abundant. They are the second most reported amphibian here on iNaturalist; they are commonly eaten in parts of the country; they are frequently used for dissection in biology classes; and many keep them as pets. The survey found two dozen zoos and aquariums holding the species - including some major facilities - but there are quite a few more in hole-in-the-wall places across the country... and frankly, your odds of seeing a wild one in a zoo pond are decent too!
Photographed in the wild by @ChunkyMunky pengopus
Leopard Frogs
Status in US Zoos: Common*
A number of species within the genus have been given this name due to the leopard-like spots on their skin. The two main species found in the survey were Northern Leopard Frog (L. pipiens) and Southern Leopard Frog (L. sphenocephalus). As with the bullfrog, the abundance was adjusted up for these frogs based on their prevalence in nature centers and the like, though they can be found in traditional zoos and aquariums a decent amount too.
Southern Leopard Frogs; taken at Oklahoma Aquarium by @geomorph
Other species were picked up by the survey, all in numbers ranging from Uncommon to Rare; many of them are in small local facilities such as nature and science centers.
Plains Leopard Frog (L. blairi)
Gopher Frog (L. capito)
Green Frog (L. clamitans)
Pickerel Frog (L. palustris)
Wood Frog (L. sylvaticus)
Lowland Leopard Frog (L. yavapaiensis)
California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii)
Family Pyxicephalidae
African Bullfrog (or Pixie Frog) (Pyxicephalus adspersus) – Common
Nicknamed “pixie frog” for its scientific name rather than its appearance – as you’ll see from the photo below, its resemblance to pixies is lacking at best. This giant frog (9.5 inches long, weight 3 lbs) is also called a bullfrog, but is not part of the same family as American bullfrogs. With their bulbous body, stolid state and voracious appetite, they are a bit reminiscent of Pacman frogs – but are much larger and have a more uniform booger complexion rather than colorful patterning. They are common in the pet trade, where they presumably eat all of your other pets followed by your hand.
Taken at San Diego Zoo Safari Park by @Zoological Point
