It’s National Frog Month…Here Are Kentucky’s Largest, Loudest, and Most Dangerous

The number of friends I have who not only hate frogs but are scared of them surprises me. I like frogs. I always have. Maybe you don't like their sliminess, but other than that, that reaction always surprises me. I mean...they're frogs.

National Frog Month

Needless to say, those friends, who shall remain nameless, will likely not be celebrating National Frog Month. And yes, I understand that some may celebrate with a big old serving of frog legs. I have no problem with that. I like frogs, sure, but I wouldn't keep a frog leg lover away from their favorite dish for anything.

Kentucky's Largest Frog

I thought I'd celebrate by spotlighting Kentucky's superlative frog, beginning with its largest native species, which is the American bullfrog. After learning some fascinating frog facts from the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, you'll the big dude in the top left of the photo gallery.

(Last year, I helped one escape from a large bowl that was on our front porch; it had filled with rainwater, and the American bullfrog taking a quick bath had no traction.)

Kentucky's Loudest Frog

We'll call this one a draw between the spring peeper and the Cope's gray tree frog. It doesn't seem like anyone has compared the decibels, so they both get the blue ribbon. You decide. First, the spring peeper.

And now, the Cope's gray tree frog.

Kentucky's Most Dangerous Frog

Okay, let's start with this...Kentucky's most dangerous frog doesn't hold a candle to the deadly frogs you'd find in, say, Central and South America. Those species will drop you, and you want no part of any of them.

Kentucky's "most dangerous" frog, by comparison, is much milder, even if you still need to avoid it. If provoked, the Pickerel frog releases a foul-smelling secretion that will irritate the mucous membranes, become poisonous to pets and possibly (but not likely) kill them, and be deadly to other amphibians. If you've never seen one, you probably need to.

Happy National Frog Month, everyone.