The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is the largest frog species native to North America and a member of the Ranidae, or true frog, family. Bullfrogs are native to most of eastern North America but have been introduced elsewhere in North America and around the world. Bullfrogs are bold and voracious feeders, eating anything that moves in front of them that they can fit in their mouths. Their diverse diet can include small mammals, birds, other frogs, snakes, small turtles, crayfish…even scorpions and bats! I have a pet bullfrog and he doesn’t hesitate to try and swallow my own fingers during feeding time. With their wide-ranging diet and aggressive disposition, it is easy to see how the American bullfrog can become an invasive species outside of its range. I happen to live within its native range and happily count the American bullfrog among my all-time favorite animal species. Today we’re looking at a plush bullfrog by Wild Republic, part of their FrogWatch USA line.
The FrogWatch USA frogs are a series of plush frogs representing North American species. Like the Audubon birds they also have sound boxes inside that emit authentic calls of male frogs when pressed. This is a wonderful line of toys that serves to educate children about their local wildlife while also bringing many obscure species into the limelight. Unfortunately, they are no longer in production. The American bullfrog is not what I would call an obscure species, it is probably the most familiar frog species in North America. If you prefer plastic over plush than I highly recommend the Safari Incredible Creatures American bullfrog.
The Wild Republic bullfrog is an appropriately brawny looking toy, with a large, rounded head and heavy build. The body is entirely green, with lighter green on the underside and wavy black markings. The eyes are yellow with black horizonal pupils. Nostrils are sewed onto the snout, as is the large circular tympanum (eardrum) that is especially obvious on male bullfrogs. The feet are webbed but have 3 instead of five toes. Being a plush it is greatly simplified, but also still obviously an American bullfrog.
Large American bullfrogs can reach a snout to vent length of 6-8” (15-20 cm) and can weigh over 1 lb (0.4 kg). This toy also has a snout to vent length of 6”, making it 1/1 scale but with some wonky proportions typical of plush toys.
Although one might suppose the bullfrog was named for its size the American bullfrog is actually named for its call, which has been said to sound like the bellowing of a bull. When pressed the Wild Republic bullfrog emit its “rumm—rumm” call which can be heard in the wild during late spring and most of the summer, even after most other frog species have ceased breeding. My pet bullfrog sings year-round and I never get tired of hearing it. As mentioned in all these reviews the sound box within these toys will not work forever and once it’s done there’s no way to change out batteries. Some of these toys last years but others only last months or weeks.
I wish there was an easy way to acquire these toys but there doesn’t seem to be, even a search for the bullfrog on eBay comes up empty. These toys were never exactly common but used to be sold on Amazon, as well as various nature themed gift shops. That said, they do show up on eBay on occasion, so if you want them make sure to act fast. They probably won’t be around for long, especially with their song mechanism intact.
