After researching frogs I have come to the conclusion that there is no simple “frog”. I was amazed by the number of species that inhabit my neck of the woods and the special environmental needs of each type. One type prefers deep, dirty ponds while another prefers shallow “love nests” and grassy beds. The most common and loved frog I know of is the bullfrog. We sell bullfrog tadpoles at the store and, in all honesty, I’ve done a disservice to my customers by not giving them the whole truth about the bullfrog. It was not intentional, I assure you, it was because I didn’t do my homework. Now it’s up to me to set the record straight.

Please keep in mind that all frogs are created different and what’s good for the bullfrog is not always good for another species. In fact, Green and Bronze Frogs enjoy much the same living arrangements as the bullfrog but tiny green tree frogs and toads have a whole separate set of likes and dislikes. Those we’ll cover in coming editions. For now, I’m “hoppy” to present to you THE BULLFROG, Rana catesbeiana.

He can be either or a mixture of green, olive or brown in base color with darker markings all over his body and legs. His underside is either yellow or white. He’s the largest frog in the United States, averaging 4 to 6 inches as an adult. His hind feet are webbed except for the tip of the longest toe and he has no dorsolateral folds. These are the two ridges that run down each side of the back of the frog. He is often mistaken as a Green Frog. The way to tell them apart is to look for the dorsolateral folds which will be present on the Green Frog, reaching only part way down the back.

Bullfrogs must have “permanent” water — ie. Lakes, streams, rivers, swamps and large ponds where they can eat, sleep and sit along the water’s edge among natural vegetation where insects and small animals are plentiful. The bullfrog is the biggest eater of all our native frogs and toads and not picky at all. He will eat practically anything that he can swallow including small fish (yes, koi and goldfish babies!), insects, earthworms, moles, small snakes, other frogs, spiders, birds — even each other! The bullfrog IS food for large snakes, turtles, fish, herons, raccoons, opossums and humans. Where do you think frog legs come from? Bullfrog tadpoles easily make it to maturity, even in a koi pond, because most fish do not care for the taste of the tadpole.

In Colorado and other states where, by accident, he has been introduced by humans into natural lakes and other bodies of water the bullfrog is becoming somewhat of a pest. He plays havoc on native frog species and is upsetting the natural balance of things. On the other hand, bullfrogs can be very beneficial to man because they help control insects such as mosquitoes and are very important to medical research. It seems his biological systems are similar to those of higher animals.

The bullfrog mates from early spring to mid-summer and the male becomes territorial during this time, often biting and kicking any possible male rivals. He calls for the female using his best, low Barry White imitation. He says “jug-a-rum” — not “bud-wei-ser” — and can be heard for almost a mile. Actual breeding takes place in the pond. The male wraps his arms around her while she swims (how romantic) and fertilizes the eggs as she lays them. If you aren’t able to spot them courting (usually in the evening) you can still tell the two sexes apart. The male’s “tympanum” is bigger than his eye and the female’s “tympanum” is smaller or the same size as her eye.

Another way to tell them apart is during the mating season the male’s chin and underside is yellow while the female’s is white.

Bullfrogs tolerate higher temperatures than other frogs and toads and generally prefer warmer waters, choosing to wait out the cold winter months by hibernating in the deepest part of the ornamental pond where the warmest waters are. In Georgia he will begin hibernation some time in November. His ideal sleeping spot is the muck on the bottom of the pond that we have traditionally tried to keep cleaned out. This muck is not good for fish health so it poses a problem for the bullfrog if the pond is built for fish.

The addition of a smaller, separate pond is a better idea for those who want to make life comfy for both fish and bullfrog. For this pond very little, if any, filtration and cleaning is necessary. Make it deep — about 3 feet if possible. Remember — a blue heron loves frog legs too and can walk around in 2 1/2 feet and go frog gigging — plus the bullfrog loves deep water. Build it with plant shelves. Don’t make it hard for the bullfrog to come and go as he pleases.

Do not stock this pond with fish. Stock it with plenty of plants in pots of dirt and let it get dirty! Place a spitter fountain for décor purposes if you’d like but don’t expect the pump to run for long without getting clogged. You’ll be shaking out the pump quite often from dirt clogging it up and replacing it a couple of times a year. Expect green water unless you install a UV on the pond because you will go through the green water cycle. It may or may not clear up at all, depending on the amount of sun your pond receives. All the leaves and muck on the bottom that the bullfrog loves will continually feed an algae bloom.

Provide hopping spots for your bullfrog pets. If the pond has no “steps” on which the frogs can hop you’ll have a death trap of sorts — a prison that your frogs cannot escape. They hop in and out of the pond frequently and will not be happy unless they can do so. Large pieces of driftwood (like we have at the store) are perfect perches for frogs while being decorative at the same time. Provide rows of flat rocks on the plant shelves stacked like stairs and plenty of plants around the edge of the pond to create that natural pond edge.

Water lilies will grow well and produce beautiful blooms in the bullfrog’s pond as long as there’s plenty of sunshine. The same “muck fertilizer” that feeds the algae bloom will feed the water lily. Drop hardy water lilies into the deepest part of the pond. Don’t be surprised to see a bullfrog or two sitting on the water lily pads.

You can help create the habitat for bullfrogs by actually adding leaves to the water so they can get waterlogged, fall to the bottom and become froggy comforters for bedtime. Pour sand in and don’t expect to have to clean it out. Let it all settle and wha-lah. You have a bullfrog’s pad.

North American Bullfrogs, Green Frogs and Bronze Frogs all share the same basic needs in their environment and will thrive in this type of pond. Keep in mind that if you are crazy about cleanliness you will NOT be crazy about this type of pond.