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National Invasive Species Information Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Home / Aquatic Invasives / Fish and Other Aquatic Vertebrates / Bullfrog

Bullfrog

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American bullfrog
American bullfrog, adult - Photo by Russ Ottens; University of Georgia
Scientific Name: 

Lithobates catesbeianus (formerly known as Rana catesbeiana) (ITIS)

Common Name: 

American Bullfrog

Native To: 

Central and Eastern U.S. (Clarkson and deVos 1986)

Date of U.S. Introduction: 

First introduced to the Western U.S. in the early 1900s (Clarkson and deVos 1986)

Means of Introduction: 

Most introductions have been associated with escapes from aquaculture operations. Other pathways include bait used for recreational fishing and escapes or releases through the pet trade, landscape ponds, research, and teaching (Adams and Pearl 2007).

Impact: 

Competes with and preys on native species (Ficetola et al. 2007)

Current U.S. Distribution: 
Western U.S.

Distribution / Maps / Survey Status

Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database: Point Map - American Bullfrog
DOI. USGS. Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Provides detailed collection information as well as animated map.

Images

Google Images - Bullfrog
Google.
Invasive.org - Bullfrog
University of Georgia. Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.

Videos

YouTube - Help Stop the Spread of Bullfrogs in WY

Google. YouTube; Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Selected Resources

The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source. Or, to display all related content view all resources for Bullfrog.

Council or Task Force
American Bullfrog - Invasive Predator

Oregon Invasive Species Council.

Priority Species: Bullfrog

Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Washington Invasive Species Council.

Partnership
Global Invasive Species Database - Lithobates catesbeianus (amphibian)
IUCN. Species Survival Commission. Invasive Species Specialist Group.
Invasive Species Compendium - Rana catesbeiana
CAB International.
Non-native Species Information: American Bullfrog
Great Britain Non-Native Species Secretariat.
Federal Government
Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database: Fact Sheet - American Bullfrog
DOI. USGS. Wetland and Aquatic Research Center.
Provides distribution maps and collection information (State and County).
International Government
B.C. Frogwatch - Bullfrog (PDF | 142 KB)
British Columbia Ministry of Environment (Canada).
See also: Amphibians in B.C. for more resources
State and Local Government
California's Invaders: American Bullfrog

California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Invasive Species - Bullfrog

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan: Exotic Species - Bullfrog
Pima County (Arizona).
Academic
Animal Diversity Web - Lithobates catesbeianus
University of Michigan. Museum of Zoology.
Aquatic Invasions! A Menace to the West - American Bullfrog (PDF | 638 KB)
Oregon Sea Grant.
See also: Species Guides for more resources
Introduced Species Summary Project - North American Bullfrog
Columbia University. Center for Environmental Research and Conservation.
Invasive Reptiles and Amphibians - American Bullfrog

University of California. Agriculture and Natural Resources. California Aquatic Invasive Species.

Citations