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This frog lives in many types of shallow [[fresh water|freshwater]] habitat and sometimes in slightly brackish water. They usually look for wetter environments that have herbaceous plant cover and low canopy.[{{cite journal|author1=Pitt, A. L.|author2=Tavano, J. J.|author3=Baldwin, R. F.|author4=Stegenga, B. S.|year=2017|title=Movement Ecology and Habitat Use of Three Sympatric Anuran Species|journal=Herpetological Conservation and Biology|volume=12|issue=1|pages=212–224|s2cid=165161178|url=https://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_12/Issue_1/Pitt_etal_2017.pdf|access-date=24 July 2024}}] It is usually found close to water, but it can stay on dry land for long periods of time.[ During warmer months, it moves away from the water for most of the time,][ It is mostly nocturnal,][[http://californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/l.sphenocephalus.html ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' – Southern Leopard Frog.] California Herps.] but it can be active during the day and the night, especially during rainfall. It breeds in the winter and spring, and sometimes in the fall. While there is a relationship between month and breeding activity, mean daily precipitation is the main factor that determines breeding activity.[{{Cite journal |last1=Steen |first1=David A. |last2=McClure |first2=Christopher J.W. |last3=Graham |first3=Sean P. |date={{date|April 2013}} |title=Relative influence of weather and season on anuran calling activity |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |volume=91 |issue=7 |pages=462–467 |doi=10.1139/cjz-2012-0266 |issn=0008-4301}}] Breeding can occur throughout the year in southern states but typically occurs in early spring[{{cite journal |last1=Erdmann|first1=J.A.|last2=Godwin|first2=C.D.|last3=Villalba-Guerra|first3=M.R.|last4=Campbell|first4=D.C.|last5=Donini|first5=J.|last6=Parker|first6=C.E.|last7=Rupp|first7=A.E.E.|last8=Weyand|first8=C.A.|last9=Partin|first9=M.A.J.|last10=Borgardt|first10=T.|last11=Beachy|first11=C.K.|title=Larval Life History of ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' (southern leopard frog) in southeast Louisiana |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |date=2018 |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=221–229 |doi=10.1656/058.017.0204|jstor=26496226}}] with both sexes having their lowest fat storage during late-winter-spring, indicative of the commencement of breeding.[{{cite journal |last1=Meshaka |first1=Walter |last2=Delis |first2=Pablo |last3=Hughes |first3=Daniel |title=Reproduction and growth of the Southern Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus, in Virginia: implications for seasonal shifts in response to global climate change |journal=Basic and Applied Herpetology |date=2017-06-06 |volume=31 |doi=10.11160/bah.53|doi-access=free }}] |
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This frog lives in many types of shallow [[fresh water|freshwater]] habitat and sometimes in slightly brackish water. They usually look for wetter environments that have herbaceous plant cover and low canopy.[{{cite journal|author1=Pitt, A. L.|author2=Tavano, J. J.|author3=Baldwin, R. F.|author4=Stegenga, B. S.|year=2017|title=Movement Ecology and Habitat Use of Three Sympatric Anuran Species|journal=Herpetological Conservation and Biology|volume=12|issue=1|pages=212–224|s2cid=165161178|url=https://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_12/Issue_1/Pitt_etal_2017.pdf|access-date=24 July 2024}}] It is usually found close to water, but it can stay on dry land for long periods of time.[ During warmer months, it moves away from the water for most of the time,][ It is mostly nocturnal,][[http://californiaherps.com/frogs/pages/l.sphenocephalus.html ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' – Southern Leopard Frog.] California Herps.] but it can be active during the day and the night, especially during rainfall. It breeds in the winter and spring, and sometimes in the fall. While there is a relationship between month and breeding activity, mean daily precipitation is the main factor that determines breeding activity.[{{Cite journal |last1=Steen |first1=David A. |last2=McClure |first2=Christopher J.W. |last3=Graham |first3=Sean P. |date={{date|April 2013}} |title=Relative influence of weather and season on anuran calling activity |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |volume=91 |issue=7 |pages=462–467 |doi=10.1139/cjz-2012-0266 |issn=0008-4301}}] They have been observed depositing eggs communally in cold weather but independently in warm weather[Caldwell, Janalee P.. “Selection of Egg Deposition Sites: A Seasonal Shift in the Southern Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala.” Copeia 1986 (1986): 249-253.]. Breeding can occur throughout the year in southern states but typically occurs in early spring[{{cite journal |last1=Erdmann|first1=J.A.|last2=Godwin|first2=C.D.|last3=Villalba-Guerra|first3=M.R.|last4=Campbell|first4=D.C.|last5=Donini|first5=J.|last6=Parker|first6=C.E.|last7=Rupp|first7=A.E.E.|last8=Weyand|first8=C.A.|last9=Partin|first9=M.A.J.|last10=Borgardt|first10=T.|last11=Beachy|first11=C.K.|title=Larval Life History of ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' (southern leopard frog) in southeast Louisiana |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |date=2018 |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=221–229 |doi=10.1656/058.017.0204|jstor=26496226}}] with both sexes having their lowest fat storage during late-winter-spring, indicative of the commencement of breeding.[{{cite journal |last1=Meshaka |first1=Walter |last2=Delis |first2=Pablo |last3=Hughes |first3=Daniel |title=Reproduction and growth of the Southern Leopard Frog, Lithobates sphenocephalus, in Virginia: implications for seasonal shifts in response to global climate change |journal=Basic and Applied Herpetology |date=2017-06-06 |volume=31 |doi=10.11160/bah.53|doi-access=free }}] |
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The southern populations breed the longest.[{{cite journal |last1=Hughes|first1=Daniel Frederick|last2=Meshaka Jr.|first2=Walter E.|last3=Delis|first3=Pablo R.|title=Reproduction and growth of the Southern Leopard Frog, ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' (Cope, 1886), in Virginia: implications for seasonal shifts in response to global climate change|pages=17–31|journal=Basic and Applied Herpetology|year=2017|volume=31|doi=10.11160/bah.53|doi-access=free}}] |
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The southern populations breed the longest.[{{cite journal |last1=Hughes|first1=Daniel Frederick|last2=Meshaka Jr.|first2=Walter E.|last3=Delis|first3=Pablo R.|title=Reproduction and growth of the Southern Leopard Frog, ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' (Cope, 1886), in Virginia: implications for seasonal shifts in response to global climate change|pages=17–31|journal=Basic and Applied Herpetology|year=2017|volume=31|doi=10.11160/bah.53|doi-access=free}}] |
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They can breed in a variety of aquatic habitats ranging from ephemeral to permanent.[{{cite journal|author1=Adams, C.K.|author2=Saenz, D.|name-list-style=amp|year=2012|title=Leaf litter of invasive Chinese tallow (''Triadica sebifera'') negatively affects hatching success of an aquatic breeding anuran, the Southern Leopard Frog (''Lithobates sphenocephalus'')|journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology|volume=90|issue=8|pages=991–998|doi=10.1139/z2012-067}}] The egg mass is connected to aquatic vegetation.[ It typically nests communally in cooler weather, and individually in warmer weather.][{{cite journal |first1=Malcolm L. |last1=McCallum |first2=Stanley E. |last2=Trauth |first3=Michelle N. |last3=Mary |first4=Charles |last4=McDowell |first5=Benjamin A. |last5=Wheeler |title=Fall breeding of the southern leopard frog (''Rana sphenocephala'') in northeastern Arkansas |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |doi=10.1656/1528-7092(2004)003[0401:FBOTSL]2.0.CO;2 |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=401–408 |year=2004|s2cid=86233608 }}][{{cite journal |first1=Matthew R. |last1=Pintar |first2=William J. |last2=Resetarits |year=2018 |title=Variation in pond hydroperiod affects larval growth in southern leopard frogs, ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' |journal=Copeia |volume=106 |issue=1 |pages=70–76 |doi=10.1643/CE-17-696|s2cid=53590323 }}] Communal egg deposition in cooler temperatures is thought to be an adaptation for increased egg and embryo survival, creating a thermal advantage, similar to that of the [[Wood frog]].[{{cite journal | jstor=1444923 | title=Selection of Egg Deposition Sites: A Seasonal Shift in the Southern Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala | last1=Caldwell | first1=Janalee P. | journal=Copeia | year=1986 | volume=1986 | issue=1 | pages=249–253 | doi=10.2307/1444923 }}] Eggs hatch in 4 days to nearly two weeks.[ It has been shown that ''L. sphenocephalus'' eggs hatch more quickly in response to the presence of predators such as crayfish.][{{cite journal |last1=Saenz |first1=Daniel |title=Accelerated Hatching of Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Eggs in Response to the Presence of a Crayfish (Procambarus nigrocinctus) Predator |journal=Copeia |date=September 1, 2003 |volume=2003 |issue=3|pages=646–649 |doi=10.1643/CE-02-172R1 |s2cid=86158871 |url=https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1150&context=biology |url-access=subscription }}] Invasive [[Triadica sebifera|Chinese tallow]] also affect the survival of Leopard frog eggs due to the leaves affecting the dissolved oxygen in water, where young eggs do not survive but more developed eggs may survive.[{{Cite journal |last=Adams |first=C.K |last2=Saenz |first2=Daniel |date=2012 |title=Leaf litter of invasive Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) negatively affects hatching success of an aquatic breeding anuran, the Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237973930 |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |volume=90 |issue=8 |pages=991-998 |via=Research Gate}}] The tadpoles take 50 to 75 days to develop to adulthood.[ High protein diets lead to better disease resistance in tadpoles][Venesky, M. D., Wilcoxen, T. E., Rensel, M. A., Rollins-Smith, L., Kerby, J. L., & Parris, M. J. (2012). Dietary protein restriction impairs growth, immunity, and disease resistance in southern leopard frog tadpoles. Oecologia, 169(1), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2171-1] |
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They can breed in a variety of aquatic habitats ranging from ephemeral to permanent.[{{cite journal|author1=Adams, C.K.|author2=Saenz, D.|name-list-style=amp|year=2012|title=Leaf litter of invasive Chinese tallow (''Triadica sebifera'') negatively affects hatching success of an aquatic breeding anuran, the Southern Leopard Frog (''Lithobates sphenocephalus'')|journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology|volume=90|issue=8|pages=991–998|doi=10.1139/z2012-067}}] The egg mass is connected to aquatic vegetation.[ It typically nests communally in cooler weather, and individually in warmer weather.][{{cite journal |first1=Malcolm L. |last1=McCallum |first2=Stanley E. |last2=Trauth |first3=Michelle N. |last3=Mary |first4=Charles |last4=McDowell |first5=Benjamin A. |last5=Wheeler |title=Fall breeding of the southern leopard frog (''Rana sphenocephala'') in northeastern Arkansas |journal=Southeastern Naturalist |doi=10.1656/1528-7092(2004)003[0401:FBOTSL]2.0.CO;2 |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=401–408 |year=2004|s2cid=86233608 }}][{{cite journal |first1=Matthew R. |last1=Pintar |first2=William J. |last2=Resetarits |year=2018 |title=Variation in pond hydroperiod affects larval growth in southern leopard frogs, ''Lithobates sphenocephalus'' |journal=Copeia |volume=106 |issue=1 |pages=70–76 |doi=10.1643/CE-17-696|s2cid=53590323 }}] Communal egg deposition in cooler temperatures is thought to be an adaptation for increased egg and embryo survival, creating a thermal advantage, similar to that of the [[Wood frog]].[{{cite journal | jstor=1444923 | title=Selection of Egg Deposition Sites: A Seasonal Shift in the Southern Leopard Frog, Rana sphenocephala | last1=Caldwell | first1=Janalee P. | journal=Copeia | year=1986 | volume=1986 | issue=1 | pages=249–253 | doi=10.2307/1444923 }}] Eggs hatch in 4 days to nearly two weeks.[ It has been shown that ''L. sphenocephalus'' eggs hatch more quickly in response to the presence of predators such as crayfish.][{{cite journal |last1=Saenz |first1=Daniel |title=Accelerated Hatching of Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) Eggs in Response to the Presence of a Crayfish (Procambarus nigrocinctus) Predator |journal=Copeia |date=September 1, 2003 |volume=2003 |issue=3|pages=646–649 |doi=10.1643/CE-02-172R1 |s2cid=86158871 |url=https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1150&context=biology |url-access=subscription }}] Invasive [[Triadica sebifera|Chinese tallow]] also affect the survival of Leopard frog eggs due to the leaves affecting the dissolved oxygen in water, where young eggs do not survive but more developed eggs may survive.[{{Cite journal |last=Adams |first=C.K |last2=Saenz |first2=Daniel |date=2012 |title=Leaf litter of invasive Chinese tallow (Triadica sebifera) negatively affects hatching success of an aquatic breeding anuran, the Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237973930 |journal=Canadian Journal of Zoology |volume=90 |issue=8 |pages=991-998 |via=Research Gate}}] The tadpoles take 50 to 75 days to develop to adulthood.[ High protein diets lead to better disease resistance in tadpoles][Venesky, M. D., Wilcoxen, T. E., Rensel, M. A., Rollins-Smith, L., Kerby, J. L., & Parris, M. J. (2012). Dietary protein restriction impairs growth, immunity, and disease resistance in southern leopard frog tadpoles. Oecologia, 169(1), 23–31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-011-2171-1] |
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