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Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Size: 3.5 - 8'

Distribution: Eastern part of the continental United States.

Biology: Breed February to October.

Habitat: Along the edges of crawfish ponds, swamps, bayous, road drainage ditches that annually hold water .

OK, in Southeast Louisiana we get accused of eating everything just because we eat gator tail, mudbugs (crawfish), turtle and of course frog legs. Nothing like a batch of fried frog legs (right below, tastes like chicken!!). I've been told that if you don't cut the muscle just right they will jump right out the frying skillet. In Rayne Louisiana we even have the Frog Festival. Below left you can see the bone structure of this frog. These frogs are hunted at night with a head lantern along the edges of slow moving water. But if you don't want to go out to catch them you can find them at just about any seafood shop or restaurant throughout the city of New Orleans. So when you come down to pass a good time on da bayou, order up a batch of frog legs and enjoy.

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Bronze Frog (Rana clamitans)

Size: 2 - 4"

Distribution: Much of the same area as the Bullfrog, Eastern United States.

Biology: Breed March to August.

Habitat: Edges of crawfish ponds, shallow swamps and roadside.

These nocturnal frogs share the same habitat as the bullfrog and are often seen as prey by them. After a good rain it isn't uncommon to find dozens of these guys along La 51's roadside ditches.

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Leopard Frog (Hyla avivoca)

Size: 2 -5"

Distribution: Southern States

Biology: Breed year round.

Habitat: Just about any standing water in Southeast Louisiana.

This is another frog that can be easily found in the drainage ditches along La 51 as well as most all the ditches in Southeast Louisiana. They are a quick little frog, so bring a net when you go out to catch them. In the water they swim better than a fish and are never where you think they went.

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