On April 9, the NYS DEC announced that they have finalized protections for certain endangered and threatened species. Included in the list is the Atlantic Coast leopard frog. I’m glad to see that.

Lithobates Kauffeldi, the biological name for the Atlantic Coast leopard frog, was first discovered and reported in 2014. It is named after Carl Frederick Kauffeld, a herpetologist from Staten Island who first predicted its existence in 1936. We had to wait almost eight decades for science (DNA studies, etc.) to prove Kauffeld was right.

The Atlantic Coast leopard frog takes its name from the speckles on its body and legs that look similar to spots on a leopard. The species is a True frog. Not being a biologist, I had to look that up. A True frog is a member of the most common frog species, Ranidae.

Coloration of these frogs ranges from light olive to mint-grey. The speckles are brown and scattered randomly on their skin. The color of Atlantic Coast leopard frogs varies with the seasons. Their color also changes with the time of day, being lighter in the morning and darker in the evening.

Their range runs along the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Connecticut. The current estimate of the range borders on Sullivan County down near Bloomingburg, although scientists are still studying them. It will be interesting to see if their range is found to include our beloved Bashakill Swamp in Wurtsboro.

Atlantic Coast leopard frogs tend to inhabit large wetlands. They like areas with cattails and similar vegetation. Their breeding season occurs in late March and early April and should just about be finishing up as you read these words.

I’m very glad to see that the DEC has taken steps to protect our endangered and threatened species and that they have included our newly found Atlantic Coast leopard frogs in those efforts. They gathered input from over 1300 individuals and groups and included it in their decision.

Let’s keep an eye out for Atlantic Coast leopard frogs and other amphibians that are migrating across roadways and let’s enjoy the outdoors!

John S. Van Etten is the current president of the Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs of Sullivan County, Inc.