|
#REDIRECT [[Lithobates clamitans]]{{R from alternative scientific name}}
{{Taxobox
| color = pink
| name = Green Frog
| status = LC
| trend = stable
| image = Green Frog Rana clamitans 2448px.jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Amphibia]]
| ordo = [[Anura]]
| familia = [[Ranidae]]
| genus = ''[[Lithobates]]''
| species = '''''L. clamitans'''''
| binomial = ''Lithobates clamitans''
| binomial_authority = ([[Pierre André Latreille|Latreille]], 1801)
| synonyms = <center>''Rana clamitans''<br/>
}}
:''"Green frog" may also refer to the [[Edible Frog]] (''Rana esculenta'') or the [[Green and Golden Bell Frog]] (''Litoria aurea'')''
The '''Green Frog''' (''Lithobates clamitans''<ref name="Frost2006">Frost, Darrel R. 2006. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 4 (17 August 2006). Electronic Database accessible at http://research.amnh.org/herpetology/amphibia/index.php. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA.</ref><ref name="FrostEtAl2006">Frost et al. 2006. The amphibian tree of life. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. Number 297. New York. Issued March 15, 2006.</ref>, previously ''Rana clamitans''<ref>{{ITIS|ID=173439|taxon=Rana clamitans|year=2006|date=18 June}}</ref>) is a [[species]] of [[frog]] native to the eastern half of the [[United States]] and [[Canada]].
== Description ==
The Green Frog ranges from 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in size, with the male having a large prominent [[tympanum (zoology)|tympanum]] and a yellow throat in contrast to the female's white throat and smaller eardrum. Dorsolateral ridges are prominent in contrast to the [[Bullfrog]] whose dorsolateral ridges are absent. Contrary to its name, it can be found in various colors (bronze, brown, and light green) depending on its habitat region.
== Behavior ==
The Green Frog lives near shallow water, springs, brooks, [[swamps]], and edges of [[ponds]] and lakes that have a considerable amount of vegetation. This frog is primarily [[nocturnal]] and is not as wary as many other species of frog. They rarely scream in alarm when captured. The call is often compared to the twang of a [[banjo]] string, usually given as a single note, but sometimes repeated rapidly several times to designate its territory. Its breeding season is from March to August. [[egg (biology)|Eggs]] are typically laid in 3-4 small clutches that are attached to submerged vegetation. Its diet consists of insects, fish, crustaceans, tadpoles, and small frogs.
== Body Structure ==
The Green Frog has very important body parts. The lungs are where oxygen flows into the blood and where carbon dioxide is released into the air. The skin is very smooth and moist. It absorbs some oxygen through the skin. Its hind legs are long and has powerful leg muscles to make the frog an excellent leaper. The Green Frog has a 3-chambered heart like all amphibians. The mouth has teeth and nostril openings and the frog's tongue is attached at the front of its mouth--it flips out to catch insects. The Green Frog's large eyes give it excellent vision and allow it to see predators while it floats in the water
== Subspecies ==
There are two recognized [[subspecies]] of ''Lithobates clamitans'':
*Bronze Frog, ''[[Lithobates clamitans clamitans]]'' ([[Pierre André Latreille|Latreille]], 1801)
*Northern Green Frog, ''[[Lithobates clamitans melanota]]'' ([[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque-Schmaltz|Rafinesque]], 1820)
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Green Frog Rana clamitans Backside.JPG|The backside of the green frog showing its Dorsolateral ridges
Image:Rana_clamitans.jpg
Image:Green frog rana clamitans side.JPG
</gallery>
==References==
{{Commons|Rana clamitans}}
<div class="references-small">
<references/>
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=Hammerson|year=2004|id=58578|title=Rana clamitans|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern.
</div>
[[Category:Lithobates]]
[[Category:Rana]]
| 