Leopard frogs are carnivorous. Insects, spiders and worms are the main staples of a leopard frog's diet. Larger specimens hunt for small snakes and birds. When leopard frogs are in their larval stage, they consume small aquatic organisms such as insect larvae and invertebrates. During this stage, leopard frogs are omnivorous since algae is also a part of their diets. The leopard frog's larval stage lasts approximately two to three months until they become adults.
When hunting for prey, leopard frogs hide in bushes and wait for potential victims to pass by. Leopard frogs are opportunistic feeders and eat nearly living organism they feel they can outmatch. These frogs are nocturnal, meaning most of their activities occur in the evening -- including hunting. Once they see their prey pass by them, leopard frogs use their powerful legs to pounce on their prey. Like other frogs, leopard frogs use their tongues to catch their prey. Frogs are able to flicker their tongues quickly and catch prey using mucus glands on the tips of their tongues.
Although they are not completely aquatic, leopard frogs must live near bodies of water in order to survive. Whenever leopard frogs reproduce, they deposit eggs into water; larval frogs, or tadpoles, live in aquatic environments until they are mature frogs. When not in water, leopard frogs dwell in grasslands, forests and marshes. These frogs are able to use their skin to camouflage with their surroundings, which comes in handy when hiding from prey. Leopard frogs are also adept swimmers and chase aquatic prey such as water bugs, fishing spiders and small frogs. Some leopard frog specimens live at altitudes more than 10,000 feet above sea level.
Four species of leopard frogs are listed as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Ramsey Canyon, Guerreran, relict and Tialoc's leopard frogs. The primary causes for these frogs' endangerment is loss of habitat and urban development. Both of these threats eradicate food sources for leopard frogs since they eliminate terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Although they are not endangered, northern leopard frog populations are declining throughout the United States, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.