Rare leopard frog found beyond its known range in Southwest

[Judi Lynn]

Associated Press
an hour ago

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A rare frog has been been found beyond its known range in the Southwest.

A U.S. Forest Service volunteer recently photographed a Chiricahua leopard frog in an earthen stock tank near the town of Camp Verde in central Arizona, the agency said Thursday. Biologists later confirmed that at least 10 of the frogs were living there.

The aquatic frogs were thought to be only in eastern Arizona, western New Mexico and northern Mexico but historically were more widespread. The frogs’ numbers have declined because of habitat loss, disease and predators.

Audrey Owns of the Arizona Game and Fish Department said the frogs could have moved into lower elevations in Camp Verde because they were seeking protected habitat or warmer temperatures that guard them from fungal disease.

More:
https://apnews.com/e01056759767b5942be11b7b26e918a5

[northoftheborder]

1. I have one of those living in my garden. Central Texas

[eppur_se_muova]

2. There are more than twenty species of leopard frogs, all somewhat similar in appearance ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_frog#Species