Description: This frog is up to 5 inches long. It is green or brown in color with a yellowish ridge along each side of the back. Rounded dark spots occur on the back and sides; a light spot is seen on each eardrum. The male has larger fore limbs than the female. The breeding male's vocal sacs are spherical when inflated. The call is described as a "ratchetlike trill", "chuckling croak", or a "squeaky balloon-like sound".

Habitat: Southern leopard frogs occur in the vicinity of virtually any freshwater habitat and in some locations inhabit slightly brackish marshes. In summer they may disperse from water into moist upland vegetation. Breeding occurs in still, shallow, permanent or temporary waters of many kinds. Males call usually from shallow or deep water while floating or submerged, sometimes while hidden in crayfish burrows. Egg masses may be attached to vegetation or float free in shallow water.

Range: Florida panhandle all the way through to the Keys. It is the most commonly seen frog in Florida.

Found in these States: FL

Diet: Insects are their primary prey item though they also feed on other arthropods and worms. Tadpoles feed on algae and other organic material.

Reproduction: Breeding occurs usually in March toJune in the northern part of the range and in any month in the far south (but often November to March with filling of ephemeral ponds).. Individual females deposit globular masses of up to several thousand eggs. Larvae hatch in a few to several days, metamorphose in summer or fall, or may overwinter and metamorphose the following year. Relatively small differences in hydroperiod can have large effects on juvenile recruitment

It typically nests communally in cooler weather, and individually in warmer weather. Communal egg deposition in cooler temperatures is thought to be an adaptation for increased egg and embryo survival, creating a thermal advantage, similar to that of the Wood frog. Eggs hatch in 4 days to nearly two weeks. It has been shown that L. sphenocephalus eggs hatch more quickly in response to the presence of predators such as crayfish. The tadpoles take 50 to 75 days to develop to adulthood.

Status: Although the coastal plains leopard frog remains a common species, habitat destruction is its greatest threat. Species populations become displaced or isolated as a result of urbanization, the destruction of wetlands and water pollution. Fortunately for the coastal plains leopard frog's survival, the species is hardy and adaptable, and thrives anywhere abundant water exists.

Taxonomy: