Bullfrog (R. catesbiana), River Rise State Preserve.

Florida, part 23: Amphibians (continued)

In addition to various treefrogs, Florida is inhabited by lots of other amphibians. An unusually large percentage of species here is fully or predominantly aquatic.

Pig frogs (Rana grylio), BCNP.

Bullfrog, Ocala National Forest.

Millions of Rana frogs swim in Florida's wetlands. The largest is the bullfrog, but it doesn't occur in the south, where the very similar pig frog is very common.

Southern leopard frog (R. utricularia), ABS.

Southern leopard frogs, ABS.

Florida gopher frog (R. capito aesopus), ABS.

The most unusual one is gopher frog: it prefers dry sandy areas, and spends the day in gopher tortoise burrows.

River frog (R. heckscheri), ABS.

Eastern narrowmouth toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis), SFHSP.

Eastern narrowmouth toad, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park.

Oak toad (Bufo quercinus), Everglades National Park.

Toads are usually nocturnal, but for some reason the smallest Florida species - the tiny oak toad - is active during the day in its hot, dry woodland habitat.

Southern toad (B. terrestris), ABS.

Southern toad, ABS.

Two-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma means), HHSP.

Terrestrial salamanders are relatively uncommon in Florida. There's a lot of aquatic ones - sirens and amphiumas - but they are difficult to see. Amphiumas are giant, ancient, eel-like nocturnal creatures that slowly crawl on the bottom of the swamps in search of prey, and hide in the mud during the day.

Two-toed amphiuma, HHSP.

Oak toad, ENP.

Part 24. Fishes

Back to Part 22