How Does a Bullfrog Protect Itself?

Bullfrogs are the largest frogs in North America. They are the most vulnerable when they're younger, but many predators can still eat them when they're bigger. Bullfrogs usually establish themselves in large and permanent water bodies. While they normally run away, they sometimes need to stand their ground and fight.

  1. Fighting

    • Bullfrog populations usually skyrocket when they inhabit a specific area, since they do not have many natural predators. Therefore, they have driven some native frogs to near extinction. Bullfrogs bite both their prey and predators, striking them with their tongues as well. Bullfrogs must protect themselves from other bullfrogs, which engage in cannibalism. When defending themselves or fighting other bullfrogs, they kick and bite. Bullfrogs do not have teeth, but their large mouths allow them to still inflict serious bites. Bullfrogs will wrestle with each other for dominance.

    Retreating

    • Bullfrogs primarily protect themselves by fleeing. They have fast squeaks that they produce when they fear something. Bullfrogs jump into the water very quickly when they think they are in danger to swim away, typically swimming downward. Bullfrogs must escape quickly, since their calls attract raccoons and turtles that try to prey on them. They make louder screaming sounds when they are under high stress. They must escape numerous predators, including herons, water snakes, turtles, raccoons and belted kingfishers. People also hunt bullfrogs for their legs.

    Taste

    • Bullfrogs have a taste that isn't enjoyable for most predators, especially most fish. Therefore, the bullfrog taste serves as a form of protection. Some people eat frog legs, which taste like chicken.

    Mating

    • Bullfrogs have territories where they try to drive other males out by scaring them away. Females choose to mate with males by entering their territory. However, they aren't attracted to calls of aggression released by male bullfrogs when they fight. The bullfrogs often fight at the edge of ponds, which can lead to injuries. Bullfrog calls attract other male bullfrogs that will try to attack them, so some bullfrogs choose to keep quiet on some nights to avoid conflict. According to Brown University News Service, other bullfrogs position themselves between another bullfrog caller and a female so the frog can intercept the female, allowing the intercepting bullfrog to avoid exposing itself to predators. These practices serve as a form of protection, since the bullfrogs evade predators, both other species and cannibalistic bullfrogs.