Lowland Leopard Frog (Rana yavapaiensis)

Common Name: Lowland Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana yavapaiensis
Family: Ranidae – True Frog family
Locations: Mexico and the United States
US Locations: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and the Utah
Size: 3.4 inches (87 mm)

The Lowland Leopard Frog’s range is found primarily in Arizona, reaching a little bit in the states and countries around it. Sadly, most populations of the frogs in California and New Mexico have disappeared. Primary threats to the frogs are habitat alteration and fragmentation due to agricultural practices, livestock grazing, development, reservoir construction, and damming of waters that they call home. In addition to this, invasive crayfish, predatory fish, and bullfrogs have been feasting on the Lowland Leopard Frog.

Due to the Lowland Leopard Frog living in warmer areas, they are able to reproduce twice a year. The first breeding period starts in January after the frogs wake up from their reduced winter activity and ends in April. Breeding locations are permanent water bodies such as rivers, streams, or ponds and man-made bodies such as cattle tanks, canals, or mines. The eggs are laid in shallow water and are attached to vegetation, bedrock, or gravel. The eggs can either take 3 months to hatch or wait until after winter and hatch at 9 months to undergo metamorphosis. The second period happens during late summer or early fall.

It is illegal to harm or harass Lowland Leopard Frogs in Arizona.