The Okefenokee's Pig Frog

Okefenokee Swamp Journal, April 19, 2024...

Photographer: William Wise | iNat Observation: 232046373 - Pig Frog on a Yellow Bonnet Lily pad; Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia. April 19, 2024. ©williamwisephoto.com

Pig Frogs are the big Lithobates of the Okefenokee Swamp. Although they may not be readily seen among the floating green lily pads of the blackwater swamp, they are definitely heard! Its name derives not from its looks, but from that deep, guttural call. Growing up to a beefy 5 inches long, I can imagine that these amphibians are a regular part of an alligator’s diet. But when not being preyed upon, the Pig Frog is an active predator itself, being an opportunistic feeder that will swallow anything from crawfish, dragonflies, insects, and small fish to other frogs! Lithobates grylio is found in the Southeastern United States, from South Carolina to Texas.

Photographed in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia on April 19, 2024. Paddling from Kingfisher Landing to Maul Hammock overnight shelter.

• Location: mile markers 7 to 11; N31.01532° W82.19236°
• Sunny, high near 91; low around 64
• Sunrise 6:55 AM; sunset 7:59 PM
• Daylight hours: 13 hours, 4 minutes (+1m 44s)
• Moon: 83% Waxing Gibbous

Posted on October 15, 2024 02:37 PM by williamwisephoto