Datasets -> Rana Catesbeiana -> General Information

Entrez Taxonomy
Rana catesbeiana is the American Bullfrog, sometimes alternately listed as Lithobates catesbeiana. It is native to eastern North America but its range spreads as far west as Idaho, and (partially because it can be used as a food source) it has been introduced throughout the west of North America and indeed throughout much of the world. It is the largest species of true frog in North America, with mature individuals weighing up to 500 g and measuring up to 20 cm long. The bullfrog is an important member of the ecological system, acting not only as a predator that will eat any animal it can overpower, but also as a prey item for large birds, otters, fish, and alligators. It is a highly studied species both at the professional level (where it is a model organism for development and where it has had its entire genome published) and at the educational level (where it acts as a dissection specimen in countless biology classes throughout the world). rana catesbeiana, american bullfrog, bullfrog