Reptiles and Amphibians - invasive

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on Jun 22, 2023

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

More than a dozen tadpoles, very large (about 6 inches in total length) with a prominent body (about 2 inches in diameter). One of them had a shortened tail and legs, and climbed out of the water onto a rock to rest.

Commentary

Thank you for your report! Bullfrogs are unfortunately common in the Metro area. The Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has a fact sheet about bullfrogs and actions that can be taken at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/invasive_species/docs/bullfrog_fact_sheet.pdf. There are some more control tips at https://www.denverpost.com/2019/07/03/boulder-county-invasive-american-bullfrogs/. Your report will be incorporated into our statewide invasives database, iMapInvasives, and will contribute to our understanding of the distribution of bullfrogs in Oregon.

Lindsey Wise
Aug. 8, 2023, 2:50 a.m.

Resources

Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife bullfrog fact sheet

Location

At about noon on Thursday, June 22, 2023, we were on the bridge that connects Johnson Street in Woodard Park between 106th and Brookside Place in Tigard, looking down into the water. We saw more than a dozen very large (6 inches or so) bullfrog tadpoles, one of which had already sprouted legs and was turning into a frog that climbed up onto a rock to rest.

Expert Reviewer

Mrs. Lindsey Wise
Oregon Biodiversity Information Center, inr.oregonstate.edu/orbic
Oregon iMapInvasives
Institute for Natural Resources
Portland State University

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