Checklist of Amphibian Species and Identification
Guide
Southern Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala
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The Southern Leopard Frog is quite similar to the Northern Leopard Frog.
They display an unbroken dorsolateral ridge
like the Northern Leopard Frog. |
| It can be distinguished by a light marking on the center of the tympanic
membrane. The tympanic membrane, or typanum, can be called the frog's
eardrum. It is composed of nonglandular skin and unlike our own eardrums
it is situated externally on the frog. It is located in most species directly
behind the eye. They function in a similar fashion to our own eardrum. |
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In addition, the Southern Leopard Frog usually has less side markings
and the spots are smaller. Their head is more pointed than the Northern
Leopard Frog. |
| Another photo of the Southern Leopard Frog. The light spot on the center
of the tympanic membrane is very distinct in this photo and the one below. |
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The Southern Leopard Frog ranges from extreme southern New York south
along the coast to Florida. To the west, they range from eastern Texas
north to eastern Kansas. Their northerly range is Missouri, southern Illinois
and Indiana, and then south through Kentucky and Tennessee. |
| The populations found within Florida have been given their own subspecies
classification as the Florida Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala utricularia,
shown here. However, they cannot be easily distinguished from individuals
occupying the rest of the distribution range shown below (called R.
s. sphenocephala) and there are some who question this classification.
Further studies are neede to determine this status. |
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