Study Finds American Bullfrogs Eat Birds, Mammals, Snakes, Turtles, Frogs and More
Posted on March 15, 2013
Researchers examined the stomach contents of over 5,000 American bullfrogs found in 60 lakes and ponds on southern Vancouver Island. Over 15 classes of animals were found in the stomachs of the dissected bullfrogs. Some of the prey remains included aquatic insects, spiders, crayfish, fish, frogs, salamanders, newts, snakes, lizards, turtles, birds, and small mammals. The researchers say the results show "bullfrogs will attack and consume virtually any organism that is within reach and can be swallowed, including their own species."
A National Geographic listing says the bullfrog is the largest North American frog. It can weigh up to 1.5 pounds. The frogs are known for making a "jug-o-rum" bellow.
Adult American bullfrog females can produce over 20,000 egs per year. The large frog is on the list of the 100 worst invasive alien species in the world, see here.
The study was published here in the journal, NeoBiota.