American Bullfrog

Names and classification

Scientific name

Lithobates catesbeianus

Common names

American Bullfrog

Other names

bullfrog · bull frog · bull frogs

Family

Ranidae

Order

Anura

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Evidence limits

Occurrence is supported; local abundance and impact estimates remain less certain than presence.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats

Ponds, reservoirs, wetlands, slow streams and adjacent banks.

Food and resource needs

Generalist predator of invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals when available.

Reproduction

Permanent or semi-permanent freshwater with warm shallow breeding areas.

Shelter

Moist soil, vegetation, litter, crevices, banks, or aquatic edge structure depending on species.

Threats and conservation

Threats

Predation and competition can affect native and introduced aquatic fauna; may carry pathogens.

Conservation actions

Early detection, containment/control where feasible, prevent intentional release or transport, protect high-value native habitats, and monitor ecological effects.

Monitoring

Repeat island occurrence surveys, population trend monitoring, and impact studies using standardized methods.

Data gaps

Current population distribution, abundance, and Kauaʻi-specific ecological effect sizes remain incompletely quantified.

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal timing

Year-round with activity/reproduction influenced by rainfall and temperature

Seasonal description

American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is a documented established nonnative species on Kauaʻi.

Sources and further reading

• USGS NAS — American Bullfrog — Kauaʻi collection records
• USGS — Eleutherodactylus frog introductions to Hawaiʻi