State of the Species: Crawfish Frog (Lithobates areolatus)
Written by: Matt Forester, Guest Contributor
As the name suggests, the crawfish frog (Lithobates areolata) lives in crawfish burrows. You might think this frog is a wetland creature from its common name, but is actually lives in grasslands, prairies, open fields, and abandoned pastures. Thanks to conservation efforts and the crawfish unwittingly running an amphibian Airbnb, the crawfish frog is right at home on the coastal prairie! These particular crawfish frogs are a terrestrial species. At some point in their history, they separated from their water-dwelling cousins and adapted by digging deep burrows that collect water below the surface.
For the frogs, the burrow provides protection from predators, wildfire, and winter frost. Throughout the year, they feed mainly on insects, staying relatively close to the safety of the burrow. In the spring, when love is in the air, the male crawfish frog leaves the burrow in search of a shallow body of water suitable for starting a family. The ideal spot is a large puddle or ephemeral pond – a shallow bit of water with no fish. The male frog might travel up to a mile from its borrowed home to find the perfect spot, and when it does, he begins a call letting female crawfish frogs in the area know that he’s open for business. The call of the frog is low and guttural. A group can make quite a racket but often go silent if people approach.
After eggs are laid and fertilized, both leave the next generation on their own, trusting instinct to guide their young to find ready-made burrows of their own in nearby fields. It takes frogs several years to reach sexual maturity, and then the cycle of life begins again. In the wild, crawfish frogs live about seven years.
The southern crawfish frog (Lithobates areolata areolatus) is the subspecies most likely to be found here in Texas. It is slightly smaller than the large northern crawfish frog (Lithobates areolata circulosus). The species is related to the leopard frog, has brown spots outlined with golden rings, and is commonly described as “stubby” and “robust.” They also have a humped lower back, a feature that is more noticeable when the frog is at rest.
These days, the crawfish frog is considered a near threatened species, more so in specific parts of the country due to habitat loss. Conservation work on the coastal prairie is important for many reasons, but for the crawfish frog, prairie is necessary for survival.
What can volunteers do? Helping with prairie restoration is key! By participating in activities such as seed collecting, Stewardship Saturdays, the Great Grow Out, and the annual Putting Down Roots event, volunteers help ensure that habitats used by crawfish frogs on the coastal prairie stay healthy and resilient.