General Description: Typical, large frog with a few dark roundish spots on the back and conspicuous light-colored ridges (dorsolateral fold) on the sides of the back. Light-colored line on upper lip. Two color phases: green and brown.

Taxonomy: Order Anura (Frogs and Toads); Family Ranidae (True Frogs). Formerly Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens).

Technical Description: Body size large (to 4.5 in.). Dorsal color green or brown. Dorsal spots well defined, dark, round or oval. Ventral color light. Upper jaw with light stripe. Dorsolateral fold light-colored, well defined, continuous, and straight (not angled inwards). In males, paired vocal sacks expand over the front feet.

Diet: Insects.

Habitat: Desert riparian habitats along permanent streams, springs, and water impoundments into the mountains.

Range: The species occurs throughout most of the U.S., but not in the southeast or the Pacific states. The Northern Leopard Frog occurs throughout Nevada (but not so much in the southern-most deserts, Utah, northern Arizona, and points north and eastward.

Breeding: Breeds spring to early summer.

Similar Species: The Lowland Leopard Frog is stockier and paler. The Relict Leopard Frog is smaller with shorter legs; spotting reduced near the head; underside of limbs with yellow or yellow-orange.