House Concurrent Resolution No. 1026

A Concurrent Resolution declaring the bullfrog, "Rana catesbeiana",
as the state amphibian for the State of Oklahoma;
and directing distribution.

WHEREAS, the bullfrog, "Rana catesbeiana," is the largest frog in North America, ranging from Nova Scotia to central Florida and from Wisconsin west across the great plains to the Rockies and is found throughout Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, the coloring of the bullfrog can vary from a plain green to a green background with a netlike pattern of gray or brown on the dorsal or top portion of the frog; and

WHEREAS, while the bullfrog prefers larger, deeper bodies of water, it can be found in almost every lake, pond, bog, sluggish portions of a stream and even cattle tanks; and

WHEREAS, the bullfrog can usually be seen at the water's edge, amidst vegetation or among snags in which it can hide; and

WHEREAS, the voice of the male bullfrog, which is used for breeding purposes to attract females, is a vibrant scenarist series of bass notes, with a distinctive sound best described as "jog-o-rum"; and

WHEREAS, the bullfrog is found statewide all year round, being active from March to September and inactive during the winter months, when it apparently burrows in the mud beneath the water; and

WHEREAS, the bullfrog is an opportunistic predator, eating anything that it can swallow, including beetles, small turtles, snakes, birds, and crayfish; and

WHEREAS, the versatile and prolific bullfrog is an integral part of the ecology of Oklahoma and generally represents the importance of all species of amphibians to the environment and our state.

Now, Therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the 1st Session of the 46th Oklahoma Legislature, the Senate concurring therein:

THAT the bullfrog, "Rana catesbeiana", be recognized as the state amphibian of the State of Oklahoma.

THAT copies of this resolution be distributed to the Director of the Department of Wildlife Conservation; Dr. John Turner, Superintendent of Brushy Dependent School District; Darlus Edwards, Assistant Principal of Brushy Dependent School District; Pat Grabe, Seventh Grade Teacher at Brushy Dependent School District; and to the students of the Seventh Grade Class of Brushy Dependent School District.

Adopted by the House of Representatives the 5th day of May, 1997.
Adopted by the Senate the 5th day of May, 1997.
Filed with the Secretary of State May 6, 1997.

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