Although the man-made pond is growing increasingly naturalized each year, with assorted willow shrubs and small trees growing up on the south bank, you can still walk all the way around its perimeter. Just a few weeks ago, this was a quiet walk, but as the weather has warmed up, that has changed. As you stroll along the shore, 10 or 15 feet ahead of you squawks of alarm, followed by a splash, precede your approach. It seems the pond is excellent habitat for Bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). Their distinctive “yelp” is quite startling when you’re not expecting it. You can listen to the yelp-splash at CaliforniaHerps.com.
Bullfrogs are the largest North American frog species and adults may reach 10 to 20 cm (3.7 to 8 inches) in length. The individual above was close to the larger end of that scale. As females are generally larger than males, I assume it is a female, close to 8 inches long. Other signs to check for to differentiate males and females are the tympanum (eardrum), the round patch behind the eye, and the throat. In males, the tympanum is larger than the eye, while it is about the same size as the eye in females. Males have yellow throats while females have white.
Bullfrogs will eat almost any small animal that they can capture and swallow, including fish, snakes and young waterfowl, but most of their diet is made up of invertebrates such as dragonflies, beetles, spiders, snails and crayfish. They, in turn, are dinner for fish, turtles, herons, raccoons, otters and mink, and yes, people. Because of their large size, Bullfrogs are hunted for their legs. But not here at Willow House. Their legs are safe.
Willow House Chronicles 
I cannot imagine the pleasure in eating any part of a frog. Some people have very strange tastes. Two of my children though have been known to eat snails.
I agree, Momcat. It seems strange to eat these things if you don’t have to.
[…] House Chronicles, barefootheart looks at frogs on the opposite end of the size spectrum, in fact North America’s largest frog. Living in the increasingly naturalized man-made pond in eastern Ontario, these behemoths are […]
I think I have only seen the male bullfrog – the ones around my house have been large and greenish-dark, with brown streaks under their chin. I even found one inside my house once…not sure if my dogs brought him in, or he just came in the doggie door on his own. 🙂
We also have a man-made pond and it also has bullfrogs. If you can watch them during June..I live in western NY and you may be pretty close to that date. When the chorus starts, they may also fight for territory. I happen to catch two fighting males. The goal is for one to flip the other one and poke it in the eye. No damage done and no territory lost, but it was amusing to watch…Michelle…
My Hoh-snapping turtles
Michelle, Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep a watch for them.
[…] House Chronicles, barefootheart looks at frogs on the opposite end of the size spectrum, in fact North America’s largest frog living in an increasingly naturalized man-made pond in eastern Ontario. These behemoths are more […]