Amphibians
Lowland Leopard Frog
Lithobates yavapaiensis · also called lowland leopard frogs
At a scattered desert spring surrounded by miles of dry terrain, a lowland leopard frog survives in a habitat most people would never associate with a leopard frog at all, entirely dependent on this one isolated water source and a handful like it.
Overview
The lowland leopard frog, Lithobates yavapaiensis, is a spotted amphibian native to desert stream, spring, and pond habitat across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its unusually arid range and significant decline from introduced predators and disease make it one of the more genuinely vulnerable leopard frog species in North America.
A wetland species making do with the desert
Most leopard frogs take reliable water for granted, but the lowland leopard frog has had to build its entire existence around scattered, isolated desert water sources, a precarious arrangement now further strained by introduced predators and disease.
Status
Vulnerable — declining significantly due to introduced predators, chytrid fungus disease, and the loss of isolated desert water sources.
Lowland Leopard Frog: common questions
Why is it unusual for a leopard frog to live in the desert?
The lowland leopard frog occupies desert stream, spring, and pond habitat across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, a notably drier overall range than most other leopard frog species inhabit, surviving by depending closely on scattered, reliable desert water sources rather than the more widespread wetland habitat typical of its relatives.
Why has the lowland leopard frog declined?
Lowland leopard frog populations have declined significantly due to predation by introduced bullfrogs and non-native fish species, combined with the spread of chytrid fungus disease, pressures that have hit some isolated desert populations particularly hard given their limited ability to be recolonised from elsewhere.
What is chytrid fungus and why does it matter for this species?
Chytrid fungus is a disease that has affected amphibian species worldwide, including the lowland leopard frog, contributing to population declines across parts of its range by disrupting the skin function amphibians depend on for breathing and water balance, a threat compounding the pressure already caused by introduced predators.
Where does the lowland leopard frog live?
The lowland leopard frog is native to desert stream, spring, and pond habitat across Arizona, adjacent states, and northern Mexico, depending closely on scattered, often isolated desert water sources for its survival.