Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)

Common and widespread throughout the piedmont and coastal plain of NC, this species is highly variable in color and spot pattern, but the spots are always rounder than the similar Pickeral Frog.
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Moore Co., NC
9 June 2007

Formerly known as Rana utricularia and now recent molecular evidence suggests the genus Rana should be split, resulting in the name Lithobates sphenocephalus for the Southern Leopard Frog. Thanks to Mike Mills for pointing this out!


Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Along New Hope Creek in Orange Co., NC
28 Sep 2008


Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Johnston Co., NC
29 May 2005
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) same individual as above

Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Dare Co., NC
18 Oct 2003
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Dare Co., NC
18 Oct 2003

Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Brunswick Co., NC
31 May 2004
Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Dare Co., NC
18 Oct 2003

Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Sandhills Gamelands in Scotland Co., NC
11 Mar 2010


Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Sandhills Gamelands in Scotland Co., NC
11 Mar 2010


Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Sandhills Gamelands in Scotland Co., NC
11 Mar 2010


Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Sandhills Gamelands in Scotland Co., NC
11 Mar 2010


Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Korstian Division of Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
21 Apr 2013

Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Korstian Division of Duke Forest, Orange Co., NC
21 Apr 2013


Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Anahuac NWR, Chambers Co., TX
27 Jan 2018
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Anahuac NWR, Chambers Co., TX
27 Jan 2018
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)
Anahuac NWR, Chambers Co., TX
27 Jan 2018

Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) eggs
Scotland Co., NC
18 Mar 2015
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) egg masses
Scotland Co., NC
18 Mar 2015


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Created on ... November 27, 2003 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com