BULL FROG Rana catesbeiana Shaw, 1802   

      STATUS:  Abundant

      LOCALITIES OBSERVED:  Collin Co.:  Lake Lavon, 2 mi E of Farmersville, and Wylie area;  Dallas Co.:  gravel pits W of Carrollton, Seagoville area, Glen Lake Country Club Lake, Turtle Creek, and Mt. Creek Lake;  Hood Co.:  1.1 mi SE of jct of Tx 51 on FM 167;  Johnson Co.:  1.3 mi S of Park Rd. 21 on US 67 and near Godley on FM 1192;  Kaufman Co.:  .9 mi N of jct of FM 986 on FM 1565;  Tarrant Co.:  Veteran's Park in W Arlington, River Legacy Parks in NW Arlington, Ft. Worth Nature Center, Eagle Mt. Lake, and ponds in the Euless area

      DOCUMENTED COUNTIES:  Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise 

      HABITAT:  permanent water in all habitats

      COMMENTS:  The bullfrog has been introduced from river bottom habitat into permanent water of all habitats.  It is known to eat virtually any living thing smaller than itself, including venomous snakes such as the cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous), rodents, small birds, crawfish, and other frogs (including smaller bullfrogs).  Its frog-eating habits cause this species to be a threat to native frog populations in the arid southwest, particularly in Arizona, New Mexico, and California, where aquatic habitats are restricted.  In our area, sufficient aquatic habitats are present so that other species are able to escape the appetites of the bullfrog.

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