The river frog (Lithobates heckscheri) is a species of aquatic frog in the family Ranidae. It is endemic to the southeastern United States. Its natural habitats are temperate rivers, swamps, freshwater lakes and freshwater marshes. It is threatened by habitat loss.

This very rare species is North Carolina’s second largest frog, surpassed only by the bullfrog. The river frog closely resembles the bullfrog but is usually brown or olive with no bright green coloration. Its belly is predominantly gray or blackish, mottled with whitish.

River frogs resemble Bullfrogs (Rana [L.] catesbeiana) and Pig Frogs (Rana [L.] grylio) but can be distinguished by the presence of light spots on the lips, particularly on the lower jaw. Males have a more yellowish throat than females.

River frogs are closely associated with blackwater river habitats, breeding in oxbow lakes, ponds, borrow pits, swamps or other permanent waters along such rivers. Eggs are deposited as a surface film.

Peripheral and rare in southern portion of Southern Pine Plains and Hills, and potentially in Dougherty Plain of southernmost tier of counties. Common in Florida and Georgia. Documented in Alabama from four old records. HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN.

The river frog is a highly aquatic frog, but can be approached rather easily. They often sit in shallow open water, and on structures such as logs, where they are highly visible to potential predators (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).

Habitat: The River Frog is a semiaquatic species that is associated with Coastal Plain streams and rivers and standing water habitats. It can be found along the margins of sluggish sections of rivers and streams, but more commonly is found in associated wetlands such as swampy backwaters, fluvial swamps, cut-off overflow pools, oxbow ponds, and ...

River Frog. Kingdom. Animalia. Location in Taxonomic Tree . Species. Rana heckscheri. Identification Numbers. TSN: 173453. Geography. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Footer Menu - Employment.

Jan 13, 2020 · Found in northern Florida in floodplain swamps and oxbows along river edges, and in lakes and sinkhole ponds. Breeds in marshes, floodplain marshes, cypress domes, and other shrubby wetland edges, and in lakes and manmade borrow pits.

Description: River Frogs have greenish-gray backs and legs with dark gray blotches and blotched undersides. They also have light spots on their dark lips. When handled, this frog will go limp unlike other captured frogs. As a defense mechanism, they …