# American Water Frogs (*Lithobates*) American Water Frogs are big, green frogs that love to live near water. They can jump really far and make a loud croaking sound, especially during the night! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![American Water Frogs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rana_pipiens.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rana_pipiens.jpg) ## Appearance The American Water Frogs have smooth, moist skin, often green, olive, or brownish, with a pale belly. They are characterized by their large eardrums (tympanum) and may have distinct dorsolateral folds running down their back. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ranidae - **Genus:** Lithobates ## Interesting facts - A frog's eyes help them swallow; they pull them into their head to push food down! - Frogs don't drink water; they absorb it through special patches on their skin! - Male water frogs create loud croaking choruses to attract mates that can be heard far away! - Some tadpoles can take up to three years to transform into frogs! ## Special abilities - **Super Leap:** American Water Frogs can leap over ten times their body length to escape danger because of their powerful hind legs. - **Underwater Breathing:** American Water Frogs can breathe through their skin underwater because it is permeable and covered in tiny blood vessels. - **Sticky Tongue Trap:** American Water Frogs has a super sticky, projectile tongue that helps them snatch unsuspecting insects and other small prey. - **Camouflage Master:** American Water Frogs can blend into their surroundings because their skin color and pattern perfectly mimic aquatic vegetation. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 7-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2000-20000 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-700 days ## Diet & Feeding These frogs eat almost anything they can fit in their mouth, from insects to small mammals! - **Age differences:** Tadpoles are mostly herbivorous, feeding on algae, while adult frogs are exclusively carnivorous. - **Primary Foods:** insects, spiders, snails, small fish, other frogs, small mammals - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Large birds hunt frogs near the water's edge. - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes are common predators, ambushing frogs on land or in water. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Nocturnal mammals often forage for frogs along shorelines. - **Hunts:** Green Darner (*Anax junius*) — Adult frogs prey on large flying insects like dragonflies. - **Hunts:** Common Water Strider (*Aquarius remigis*) — Frogs ambush water insects that skim the surface of ponds. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch your step near water and don't try to catch frogs unless an adult says it's okay. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Water Frogs? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Water Frogs? 7-20 cm ### How much does American Water Frogs weigh? 0.05-0.6 kg ### How long does American Water Frogs live? 5-10 years ### How fast can American Water Frogs move? 5 km/h ### What does American Water Frogs eat? These frogs eat almost anything they can fit in their mouth, from insects to small mammals! ### Where is American Water Frogs usually found? Wetlands ### How does American Water Frogs hunt? Ambush ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [American Water Frogs: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-water-frogs)