Northern Leopard Frogs

Why Study Frogs?

Frogs are important to research and medical laboratories because their skeletal, muscular, digestive, nervous, and other systems are similar to those of higher animals. So, if you see a leopard frog don't think of its as just a common frog, think of it as one of nature's representatives.

NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG• One of the most commonly dissected frogs

• widely collected for the food industry

• Females are larger than males

• brown to green with three rows of irregularly arranged black spots.

• spots are usually outlined in a cream colored border.

• Although the dorsal surface of this frog is very colorful, the belly and undersides of the legs are pale white.

WHAT DOES THE NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG EAT?

• insects, earthworms, other frogs, snails, spiders, and other small animals.

• can even eat small mice and fish! Their favorite time to hunt is in overcast, rainy conditions.

       

Leopard Frog Habitat Most leopard frogs are found in clean

groundwater near lightly wooded areas with significant vegetation.

Where Are Leopard Frogs Found?

Leopard Frogs are found in all provinces of Canada and within the United States. Declines in northern leopard frog populations were first noticed in the early 1970s.

Differences Between Frog & Human Digestive Systems

• Short gullet instead of esophagus

• Undigested food goes into cloaca and out the anus

Circulatory System Differences

• Heart has 3 chambers in a frog• 2 atria and 1 ventricle

Excretory System Differences

• Most carbon dioxide leaves through the skin, not the mouth

• Urine goes from bladder to cloaca and out the anus

Respiratory System Differences

• Do not have a diaphragm• Moves air into lungs by swallowing air

Reproductive System Differences• Male frog – testes and oviducts• Female frog – ovaries and oviducts• Oviducts transport sperm & eggs to the cloaca and

out the anus

Placing Frog on Tray

Exposing The Organs 1

Exposing the Organs 2

Liver and gall bladder

Heart

Lungs

Kidneys