Dusky Gopher Frog
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Scientific Name:
Lithobates sevosa Native
Description
Stout frog, generally 2.5 to 3.5 inches in length from snout to cloaca, with warts and prominent dorsolateral folds (ridges of raised skin) along its back. Body is uniformly dark or irregularly spotted/blotched; throat and belly are mottled. Young have less spotting.
Possession or harvest of this species from the wild is illegal in the state of Louisiana. Listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Range and Habitat
Lives in the coastal plain from west of Mobile Bay, Alabama to eastern Louisiana, typically in upland sandy habitats forested with longleaf pine. Spends most of its life in or near underground shelter. Breeds in temporary ponds.
Behavior
Tadpoles are predominately herbivorous (plant-eating), while adults feed on invertebrates and small vertebrates. Breed during winter in temporary wetlands where females can lay up to 2,800 eggs in a single mass. When not breeding, adults use vacant animal burrows and stump holes for shelter.
Population Status
Listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Considered imperiled globally; threats include loss of open pine forest and fire suppression, which causes habitat degradation.
More Information/References
Amphibians of Louisiana Poster
Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana, An Identification and Reference Guide
Frogs and Toads of the Southeast
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dusky Gopher Frog Information