Daily behavioral activities of bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw 1802)

Abstract

Studies on the daily behavioral activities of bullfrogs in laboratories may indicate avenues for appropriate technical management for this specie culture. Twenty-four post-metamorphic phase Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw 1802) bullfrogs had their daily activities described. The animals were housed in six experimental stalls and feed was offered once a day at random times over 10 days of filming. Behavioral activity in each stall was recorded for the first 15 minutes of every hour in a 24-hour period. As results, we observed that ingestion and movement on dry ground were more common at dawn and rare in dark; inactivity on dry ground occurred more in the late night and at dawn. Consequently, there was preference for sheltering less at dawn and in the end of dark phases. The inactivity behavior in the water was more frequent during the early dark phase, showing an inverse relationship with respect to preferred times for feed ingestion. As a result of observed behaviors, we recommended that feed offerings for bullfrogs in captivity are during the light phase of day and that it is available until the following morning.