{{Short description|Species of amphibian}} {{speciesbox |name=Plains leopard frog |image=Lithobates blairi.jpg |status=LC |status_system=IUCN3.1 |status_ref=<ref name=IUCN>{{cite iucn |author1=IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group |year=2022 |title=''Lithobates blairi'' |volume=2022 |article-number=e.T58562A196335756 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T58562A196335756.en |access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref> |status2=G5 |status2_system=TNC |status2_ref=<ref>{{cite NatureServe |id=2.10499 |title=''Lithobates blairi'' |access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref> |genus=Lithobates |species=blairi |authority=(Mecham et al., 1973) |synonyms= *''Rana blairi'' <small>Mecham, Littlejohn, Oldham, Brown & Brown, 1973</small> |synonyms_ref=<ref>{{GBIF|taxon=''Lithobates blairi'' (Mecham, Littlejohn, Oldham, Brown & Brown, 1973)|id=2427062|access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref> }}
The '''plains leopard frog''' ('''''Lithobates blairi''''') is a spotted frog found in North America. It is sometimes referred to as '''Blair's leopard frog''', named after the noted zoologist and University of Texas professor, Dr. W. Frank Blair.<ref name="Hillis2007">{{cite journal |author=David M. Hillis|year=2007|title=Constraints in naming parts of the Tree of Life|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=42|issue=2|pages=331–338|url=http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/679.pdf|pmid=16997582|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2006.08.001|bibcode=2007MolPE..42..331H }}</ref><ref name="HillisandWilcox2005">{{cite journal|author=David M. Hillis & Thomas P. Wilcox|year=2005|title=Phylogeny of the New World true frogs (''Rana'')|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=34|issue=2|pages=299–314|url=http://www.cnah.org/pdf_files/215.pdf|pmid=15619443|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2004.10.007|bibcode=2005MolPE..34..299H }}</ref>
==Description== The plains leopard frog grows from {{convert|2.0|to|4.3|in|cm|abbr=on}} in length, and is typically brown in color. Their common name originates from the distinctive irregular, dark colored spotting on their backs. They have long, powerful legs, and are capable of leaping great distances.
The frog's spots are brown or greenish brown, and are not ringed in white. There is a distinct white line above the sides of the jaw. The lines along the sides of the back are broken toward the rear, with the short broken section closer to the center of the back. There is often a white spot in the center of the tympanum, and a dark spot on the top the snout.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/plains-leopard-frog| title=Plains Leopard Frog| website = Missouri Department of Conservation Field Guide}}</ref>
==Behavior== Although found throughout semiarid regions, the plains leopard frog is almost always found in or very near permanent water sources, such as streams, creeks, and ponds. They are nocturnal, and primarily insectivorous, though they will eat almost anything they can overpower and swallow, including other frogs. They are shy animals, often fleeing beneath the water if approached.
==Geographic distribution== The plains leopard frog, as its name implies, is found throughout the Great Plains of the United States, from Indiana west across central and southern plains to South Dakota, south to Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas, with a disjunct population in Arizona.
==Conservation status== The plains leopard frog is fairly common throughout its range, and holds no special conservation status, except in the state of Indiana, where it is endangered.<ref name=312iac>{{citation|author=Indiana Legislative Services Agency|year=2011|title=312 IAC 9-5-4: Endangered species of reptiles and amphibians|work=Indiana Administrative Code|access-date=28 April 2012|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/}}</ref> This is probably because of the use of fertilizers and pesticides in farms located near this frog's habitats.
==Footnotes== {{Reflist}}
==References== {{Commons}} {{Wikispecies}} {{refbegin}} *[http://research.amnh.org/vz/herpetology/amphibia/?action=references&id=25107 Amphibian Species of the World: ''Lithobates blairi''] *[http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Rana_blairi.html Animal Diversity Web: ''Lithobates blairi''] *{{cite journal|doi=10.2307/2413277|last1=Hillis|first1=D. M.|last2=Frost|first2=J. S.|last3=Wright|first3=D. A.|year=1983|title=Phylogeny and biogeography of the ''Rana pipiens'' complex: A biochemical evaluation|jstor=2413277|journal=Systematic Zoology |volume=32|issue=2|pages=132–143}} *{{cite journal|doi=10.1146/annurev.es.19.110188.000351|last1=Hillis|first1=D. M.| year=1988|title=Systematics of the ''Rana pipiens'' complex: Puzzle and paradigm|journal=Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics|volume=19|issue=1 |pages=39–63 |bibcode=1988AnRES..19...39H }}{{refend}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q28035753}}
Plains leopard frog Category:Amphibians of the United States Plains leopard frog Category:Fauna of the Plains-Midwest (United States) Category:Fauna of the Southwestern United States Category:Amphibians described in 1973