BULL FROG 
In May the bull frog emerges from a long winter rest to drown out the 
croaking of its feebler relatives with its booming note. In voice, as in size, 
it is the lord of North American frogdom, though its bulbous eyes also 
make it one of the stupidest-looking species. 
The bull frog inhabits pools and other suitable bodies of water, usually 
those choked with water weeds. Only in rainy weather will it leave its 
pool for cross-country trips. Though generally green or greenish-brown, it 
varies in color according to localities. In some regions the male has a 
yellow throat, while in others the throat is the usual drab color; the under¬ 
parts are sometimes white and sometimes spotted. Though a powerful 
swimmer, the bull frog can swim only short distances at a time, perhaps 
as its habit of rolling its eyes downward when in motion prevents it 
from seeing. On a long trip the frog stops at regular intervals to open its 
eyes and take bearings. The hind legs propel it through the water with 
a sort of back kick. When attracted by some juicy crayfish, the bull frog 
expels the air from its lungs and dives with closed nostrils. 
Though easily prompted to song by pleasing sounds, it is a strict 
individualist and declines membership in any chorus. The female is said 
not to croak. 
This goggle-eyed amphibian spends its leisure hours floating among 
the pond lilies or perching on logs. On land it breathes in gulps as if 
swallowing a bulky object. In addition to crayfishes the frog eats snails, 
minnows, insects, small snakes, small birds and its own young, either in 
the form of tadpoles or baby frogs. The bull frog’s chief enemies are 
snakes and large birds. When one is seized by a hawk, its scream of anguish 
sounds almost human. 
May or June is bull frog breeding season. The eggs hatch out soon 
after they are laid, but in northern regions the tadpoles require two or 
three seasons to develop into mature frogs. The tadpoles are very large, 
sometimes reaching a length of seven inches. Large eyes, fleshy lips and 
muddy marbled markings emphasize their puffy aspect. Ranged along each 
side of the throat are three sets of internal gills, which are the sole breath¬ 
ing apparatus of young tadpoles. At a later stage the gills disappear and 
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