Rana chiricahuensis
Chiricahua leopard frog

Presently, Chiricahua leopard frogs inhabit two known ranges. One extends from central Arizona along the Mongolian Rim to western New Mexico.

The other range is from the montane section of southeastern Arizona adjacent to Sonora to the southwest corner of New Mexico and parts of Mexico, including the Sierra Madre, northern Durango, and Chihuahua. (Platz and Mecham, 1979; Southwest Center Species Database, 2003)

Permanent aquatic habitats with well-oxygenated water and aquatic vegetation are necessary for the survival of this species. It usually occurs at altitudes of 1,000-2,600 m. Rana chiricahuensis inhabits a wide variety of springs, streams, lakes, and ponds, as well as man-made habitats. The Nature Conservatory's Mimbres River Preserve is currently the home of one of the largest populations of this species. (Southwest Center Species Database, 2003; The Nature Conservatory, 2004)

These frogs are similar in appearance to a small, extremely stocky bullfrogs with spots. They are olive to dark green in color, with charcoal spots. The groin features a yellowish pigmentation which may extend onto the posterior and abdomen. Rana chiricahuensis reaches a maximum size of 50-135 mm, with males generally smaller than females. Tadpoles are small and dark-colored. (Platz and Mecham, 1979)

Eggs form clumped, spherical masses which are usually suspended on the surface of water, or on vegetation growing in water. Tadpoles undergo metamorphosis 2-9 months after hatching. After metamorphosis, sexual maturity is reached in 2-3 years. This species can live up 14 years in the wild. (Platz and Mecham, 1979; Southwest Center Species Database, 2003; The Nature Conservatory, 2004)

These frogs can live up to 14 years in the wild.

Being quite shy, these frogs will dive toward the deepest areas of their habitat when disturbed. This species is preyed upon by bullfrogs and predatory fish.

Chiricahua leopard frogs nest in tress and shrubs with dense foliage from 0-4 m off the ground. Males attract females using a distinctive mating call. This trilling, snore-like call has been studied intensively and can be used to distinguish this species from similar frogs inhabiting the same region. (Platz and Mecham, 1979; Southwest Center Species Database, 2003; The Nature Conservatory, 2004)

Males use a trilling, snore-like mating call to attract females. The call is distinct from other frog species in the same region. (Platz and Mecham, 1979; Southwest Center Species Database, 2003; The Nature Conservatory, 2004)

This species probably consumes a wide variety of insects and other invertebrates which are caught by the frog's long, quickly extendable tongue. (The Nature Conservatory, 2004)

Bullfrogs and fish are known predators of R. chiricahuensis. (Platz and Mecham, 1979; Southwest Center Species Database, 2003; The Nature Conservatory, 2004)

These frogs are both predators of many invertebrate species and prey of other frogs and fish. (Platz and Mecham, 1979; Southwest Center Species Database, 2003; The Nature Conservatory, 2004)

This species does not adversely affect humans in any significant way.

This species is not of great economic importance to humans.

This species is a candidate for a listing as an endangered species by the U.S. Federal Government. Chiricahua leopard frog populations have declined dramatically in recent years due to a variety of causes. One primary cause is habitat destruction due to the drainage of water from aquatic habitats, damming, river channeling, and grazing. The introduction of exotic frogs and predatory fish has also hurt this species. In addition, increasing levels of UV radiation due to the loss of the Earth's ozone layer have been shown to damage the eggs of this and other frog species. (The Nature Conservatory, 2004; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2001)