Description:Lithobates areolatus areolatus is short and stout, and its body is a grayish or brownish color with spots. These spots range in size from small to large, they are a darker shade of brown than the body, and they are outlined in a lighter shade of tan. The hidden parts of the legs, feet, and groin area are a yellowish color, while its belly is white. The skin on the back of L. areolatsu is warty and has a rough feel to it. Lithobates areolatus areolatus has long, well-developed hind legs. The length of the frog's strong legs is equal to the distance between the leg and the eye of the frog, or its nostril. Lithobates areolatus areolatus has 4 digits connected to its legs, and the fourth is quite long and is not webbed together with the other 3 digits. The male's thumb is slightly enlarged compared to that of the female.
Habitat: Grasslands, prairies, and woodlands are areas where L. areolatus is most likely to be encountered. However, it is hard to find R. areolata because it lives underground most of the year in old, vacant burrows of other animals. The opening of these burrows are about 76.2 mm wide and are usually covered with grass. However, during the mating season, R. areolata resides near river floodplains, ponds, and lakes.
Range: Range extends from northern and central Mississippi, northern Louisiana, and eastern Texas north through eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, western Tennessee, and western Kentucky to eastern Kansas, southern Iowa (at least formerly), southern Illinois, and Indiana.
Diet: Crawfish frogs feed opportunistically on insects and other small invertebrates that pass by their burrow.
Reproduction:Lithobates areolatus areolatus breeds during the months from February to April, and it is sometimes seen breeding in large numbers. After a heavy rainfall, L. areolata normally comes out of its underground home, and heads toward a lake or river to breed. The male attracts the female's attention by producing a breeding call, which sounds like a deep snore. The female lays anywhere from 3,000 - 7,000 eggs in a large mass. The female usually lays its eggs in shallow waters, near tall grasses.
Status: The crawfish frog is listed as near threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and is listed as endangered in Iowa (where it has likely been extirpated) and Indiana. Habitat loss is the biggest threat to this species, though disease (chytridiomycosis) and competitive pressure from other anurans have also been identified as potential stresses.
Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
