Behavior

The American bullfrog is an early riser in the northern parts of its range. After a period of hibernation beginning in mid-fall (October into early November) and ending in late winter (March and April) the American bullfrog awakens once again with a tremendous appetite and often times this awakening concides with the heavy rains of early spring. It is during this period of heavy rain that the spotted salamanders and wood frogs awaken to breed at night in vernal woodland pools along with other cold blooded animals such as spotted turtles, Spring peepers and even snapping turtles. Many of these early risers are potential food items for a hungry American bullfrog and the author has found bullfrogs the following day so engorged on Spotted salamanders that they protrudefrom the frog’s mouth. Bullfrogs can and will eat virtually any living animal that it can overcome.

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Metamorphosis may occur anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the bullfrog tadpole’s geographic location.

Reproduction typically occurs in late spring (late May to early June) and throughout the summer in the northern states and typically runs from February through October in the southern parts of its range.

Male American bullfrogs are territorial and will occupy an area within 10 to 20 feet of a rival male, calling females to his location with his deep, throaty call. Receptive female bullfrogs will allow a male to engage in amplexus at which time he will fertilize her 20,000 or so eggs externally. Bullfrog eggs hatch usually within three to seven days