You’ve probably heard them before you’ve seen them. The booming "jug-o-rum" call of the bullfrog (sometimes spelled bull frog ) is a signature sound in North American wetlands.

But these amphibians are more than just loud. Bullfrogs are the largest frog species in North America, and their impact on ecosystems can be just as oversized.

What Is a Bullfrog?

Scientifically known as Lithobates catesbeianus (formerly Rana catesbeiana ), the American bullfrog is native to eastern North America but has since spread to the western U.S. and other continents. It thrives in warm, shallow water habitats like ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers.

Bullfrogs have smooth skin, powerful hind legs and wide mouths that can swallow surprisingly large prey. Adult bullfrogs can grow up to about 8 in (20

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