Pepper Frog

This species is a large frog, with the snout-vent length of males measuring 117–188 mm (4.6–7.4 in) and that of females 124–166 mm (4.9–6.5 in) in snout–vent length. The labyrinth-related names of this frog refer to the labyrinthine patterns it has on its belly, which is often light with dark vermiculations. Tadpoles are cryptic colored, with a dark gray back and tail.

Leptodactylus labyrinthicus has been observed in many types of habitats, including grasslands, primary and secondary forest, streams, ponds, riversides, pastures, Amazônia, Caatinga, Cerrado, Pampa, and Pantanal biomes at elevations up to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) above sea level. It has been found mostly in open habitats, with the Amazon rainforest and Amazon River blocking its natural range, although small populations have been introduced in Amazonia. It appears to be very tolerant to pollution. Due to this wide range of broad habitats, as of 2023, this frog is not considered threatened by the IUCN. It has been observed in many protected areas, including Cerro Corá National Park, Natural Reserve del Bosque Mbaracayú, Parque Nacional Da Serra Da Bodoquena, Estação Ecológica De Itirapina, Parque Estadual Do Jurupará, Estação Ecológica Dos Caetetus, Parque Estadual Do Morro Do Diabo, Área de Proteção Ambiental Morro Da Pedreira, and Parque Estadual Das Furnas Do Bom Jesus. This frog is a generalist and opportunistic predator. It has been known to eat invertebrates, amphibians, lizards, snakes, rodents and tailed tailless bats. The eggs of L. labyrinthicus are laid in foam nests, often in burrows on dry land or in swampy soil near water. …