Feds search for northern leopard frog, which sometimes live in Boulder ponds

November 2, 2009 · Posted in Environment · Comments Off 
A northern leopard frog | National Park Service

A northern leopard frog | National Park Service

Perhaps you recognize the northern leopard frog from the dissection tray in your high school biology class?

But have you seen one (alive) lately?

The northern leopard frog used to be easy to find across 19 states, including Colorado — and they were one of the key species fried up for frog legs.

But over the last few decades, the species has been on the decline.

Now the feds are out counting the small frog to see if the spotted amphibian needs protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The leopard frog is known to live in Boulder County. A 2006 study by the city’s open space department scoured 32 wetlands (which included ponds, intermittent streams and irrigation ditches) and found 172 leopard frogs.

From the Casper Tribune:

Federal biologists believe leopard frog populations are currently undergoing a dramatic decline from vast areas of its historical range in the western United States and Canada. Read more