american american simply known canada united_states amphibious frog member family true frogs frog olive green sides brownish markings whitish belly spotted yellow grey upper lip bright green males yellow inhabits large permanent water bodies swamps ponds lakes usually found water edge male defends territory breeding season reminiscent bull gives frog common frog native southern eastern parts united_states canada widely introduced parts western_europe parts asia areas regarded invasive species harvested use food north_america countries introduced controlled environments difficult successful undertaking international trade frog legs occurs human consumption biology classes schools kept pets taxonomy authorities use scientific prefer systematic review true frogs online names information available etymology specific feminine masculine honor english naturalist description dorsal upper surface olive green basal color plain banding grayish brown ventral surface white yellow gray marked contrast color green upper lip pale lower lip teeth tiny useful eyes prominent brown horizontal shaped pupils easily seen eyes skin end close limbs banded gray short hind legs long toes toes exception fourth toe sexually males smaller females having yellow males larger eyes females size eyes measure snout vent grow fast months life typically increasing weight large mature individuals weigh cases recorded attaining measuring length distribution native eastern north_america natural range extends far west oklahoma kansas found offshore islands near largely absent florida colorado nebraska minnesota introduced arizona utah parts colorado nebraska nevada california oregon washington hawaii states considered invasive species concern native species amphibians upset ecological balance common california believed pose threat california red legged frog considered factor decline vulnerable species countries introduced include mexico western half canada cuba jamaica italy netherlands france found argentina brazil venezuela colombia china japan reasons introducing countries included intentional release provide source food biological control agents escape frogs breeding establishments escape release frogs kept pets concerned relatively immune fungal infection new territories assist spread lethal disease susceptible native species frog breeding behavior breeding season typically lasts months study michigan showed males arriving breeding site late early june remaining area july territorial males occupy sites usually spaced apart loudly different types calls noted male different circumstances distinctive calls include territorial calls threats males advertisement calls attract females encounter calls combat prolonged breeding season males continuously engaging sexual activity males present breeding pond longer periods females entire season increasing chances multiple sex ratio typically males conversely females brief periods sexual season study female sexual activity typically lasted single night mating occur females initiated physical contact males females indicated willingness mate finding previous claims male frog female regard female male female behaviors cause male male competition high population sexual selection females intense process territorial likely classifications mating system valid description males attract females females arrive site purpose study new_jersey mating system classified resource defense males defended territories group demonstrated typical physical forms defense choruses male aggregate groups called choruses male chorus behavior analogous formation birds mammals choruses dynamic forming remaining associated days breaking temporarily forming new area different group males male movement noted dynamic michigan study choruses described centers attraction larger numbers enhanced males overall displays attractive females attractive sexually active males choruses study dynamic constantly forming breaking new choruses formed areas site males moved highly mobile choruses review multiple studies noted male behavior groups changes according population density higher population favored difficulty defending individual territories large population males causes differences females choose mates male population density low males maintain distinct territories female choice determined territory quality male population density higher females depend cues select mates cues include males positions chorus differences male display behaviors social dominance choruses established challenges threats physical displays older males tend acquire central locations younger males restricted periphery chorus tenure number nights male breeding chorus study distinguishes chorus tenure dominant tenure dominant tenure strictly defined time male maintains dominant status chorus tenure restricted increased risk predation lost foraging opportunities higher energy consumption calling costly general energy expended aggressive interactions male chorus aggressive behavior establish social dominance choruses demonstrate forms aggression especially visual displays posture key factor establishing social position threatening territorial males inflated males remain water heads showing dominant territorial males elevated posture reveals yellow colored dominant males encounter engage wrestling bout males individual erect position rising water level new_jersey study noted males approach centimeters tilt heads displaying brilliantly colored dominant males displaying yellow new_jersey study reported low posture head exposed water surface typical subordinate males females high posture demonstrated territorial males floated surface water lungs inflated displaying yellow males reproductive fitness number ways early arrival breeding site prolonged breeding continuous sexual activity season ownership centrally located territory chorus successful movement changing choruses common ways males maintain dominant territorial status chorus older males greater success areas younger males males display inferior role termed researchers silent male status silent males adopt posture sit near resident males attempt displace silent males attempt intercept females waiting territories vacant called alternate satellite male strategy growth development selecting male female deposits eggs territory mating grasp male rides female fore limbs female chooses site shallow water vegetation lays batch eggs male simultaneously releases sperm resulting external eggs form thin floating sheet cover area embryos develop best water temperatures hatch days water temperature rises developmental occur falls normal development newly hatched preference living shallow water fine gravel bottoms reflect lesser number predators locations grow tend deeper water initially pairs external gills rows teeth pump water gills movements floor mouths trapping bacteria single algae grains small particles organ grow begin larger particles use teeth downward facing mouths deep bodies tails broad dorsal fins time ranges months southern range years north colder water development maximum lifespan wild estimated years frog lived sixteen years captivity feeding ambush predators prey small animal stuff found contain small reptiles amphibians birds bats invertebrates insects usual food frogs studies revealed diet unique north american inclusion large percentage aquatic animals fish ram horn beetles capture large strong prey powerful grip jaws initial tongue strike able light water air interface striking position posterior target perceived location comparative ability capture submerged prey compared green frog leopard frog wood frog respectively demonstrated laboratory experiments prey motion feeding behavior necessary frog performs single rotation ending frog aimed prey followed approaching leaps necessary striking distance begins feeding strike consists eyes closed leaps ends mouth opening stage coated tongue extended prey jaws continue forward travel close bite tongue retracted large prey fit entirely mouth stuffed hands laboratory observations taking mice usually swam underwater prey mouth apparently result altering mouse defense counter attack struggling air likely cause death warm prey background tongue projection tongue projection related leopard frog possible presence elastic structures allow storage subsequent release elastic energy accounts tongue projecting higher power output develop muscular action mechanism tongue constraints limited peak power output mechanical efficiency thermal dependence activation units actual muscular movement words parameters developed contribution elastic structures differ developed muscular projection accounting difference velocity power output thermal dependence jumping catch mechanism definition able jump distances times body length thanks ability muscular units prior extension muscle process generates strain elastic structures turn catch energy generated strain subsequently released actively stretched jumping adding energy generated muscular action generating powers allow jump great distances catch mechanism relies elastic structures acting muscle power thanks ability absorbing elastic strain energy retaining later explosive release jumping advantages fact catch mechanism relies elastic structures power implies series conditions convenient recordings muscle relationship presence muscle units decreasing variable supplying additional work output elastic strain energy elastic structures relieve need shortening hinder force generated magnitude power output aided decreasing makes possible generate desired velocity movement relieving shortening achieving velocity desired slower forceful like case tongue projection elastic structures muscle thermal independence studies jumping peak power output mechanical efficiency high elevation frogs families achieve temperatures low different achieved tropical frogs ecology important item prey birds especially large north american river predatory fish occasionally amphibians predators american adult stages range pound american eggs larvae fish high levels activity noticeable predator unpleasant taste humans hunt game consume legs adult frogs try escape deep water trapped individual piercing scream surprise attacker sufficiently frog escape attack likely alert vicinity danger retreat safety deeper water partially resistant venom snakes species known natural predators northern water snakes human use american provides food source especially southern areas traditional way hunting pole canoe ponds swamps night frog heard light frog temporarily movement frog jump deeper water long approached slowly steadily close frog multiple spear brought boat land taking great care states breaking skin catching illegal hand capture parts normally eaten rear legs resemble small chicken cooked similar ways commercial culture near natural enclosed ponds attempted difficulties feed available frogs willingly consume artificial providing sufficient live prey challenging disease tends problem great care taken provide conditions challenges overcome predation low water quality frogs large powerful leaps inevitably escape havoc native frog population countries export legs include belgium netherlands mexico bangladesh japan china taiwan indonesia frogs caught wild captive united_states net frog legs american specimen schools world state missouri ohio oklahoma
American bullfrog