# Pickerel Frog (*Lithobates palustris*) The Pickerel Frog is a beautiful amphibian with yellow spots on its brown skin. It loves to live near water and can often be found hopping around in wetlands and ponds. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 36 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Pickerel Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pickerel_Frog.jpg&width=800) Photo: Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pickerel_Frog.jpg) ## Appearance The Pickerel Frog is light brown or tan with distinctive, often rectangular, dark spots arranged in two rows down its back. Its smooth skin also features bright yellow-orange coloration on the inner thighs, making it visually distinct from other spotted frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ranidae - **Genus:** Lithobates ## Interesting facts - Pickerel Frogs hibernate underwater during winter, often buried in soft mud. - The name "pickerel" comes from their spots, which resemble a type of fish. - Their skin produces a mild, bad-tasting toxin that deters most predators. - They can stay completely submerged underwater for several minutes! ## Special abilities - **Natural Camouflage:** Pickerel Frog can blend into its habitat thanks to its brown color and rectangular spots, helping it hide from danger. - **Leaping Escape Artist:** Pickerel Frog has powerful hind legs that allow it to make quick, long jumps for escaping predators or catching prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4.4-7.6 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.02 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 2000-3000 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding Pickerel Frogs are insectivores, snatching insects and other small critters with their sticky tongue. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae; adult frogs are insectivores, hunting small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** flies, beetles, ants, spiders, slugs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common snake predator of these frogs. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Opportunistic predator, especially near water. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Wading bird that preys on frogs in water. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [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 frogs from a distance and don't try to catch them, as they can be slippery! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pickerel Frog? 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 Pickerel Frog? 4.4-7.6 cm ### How much does Pickerel Frog weigh? 0.005-0.02 kg ### How long does Pickerel Frog live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Pickerel Frog move? 3 km/h ### What does Pickerel Frog eat? Pickerel Frogs are insectivores, snatching insects and other small critters with their sticky tongue. ### Where is Pickerel Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Pickerel Frog hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Burke Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burke-lake-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Camp Misty Mount Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/camp-misty-mount-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Carriage Paths, Bridges and Gatehouses](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carriage-paths-bridges-and-gatehouses) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Cedarville State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cedarville-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest - [Concord](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/concord) — Tennessee, US · Neighborhood - [Days Ferry Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/days-ferry-historic-district) — US · Historic District [View all places to see Pickerel Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pickerel-frog) ## 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: [Pickerel Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pickerel-frog)