WASHINGTON (CN) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated over 10,000 acres in Arizona and New Mexico as critical habitat for the Chiricahua leopard frog.
Classification for the Chiricahua leopard frog, previously thought to be a different species, has been revised, and the frog now receives federal protection as a threatened species.
The USFWS proposed critical habitat and threatened status for this species in March 2011.
Historically, the Chiricahua leopard frog lived in many kinds of aquatic habitats, but now it lives only in headwater streams and springs, and livestock tanks in which there are no nonnative predators.
The habitat of the Chiricahua leopard frog is threatened by mining, water diversions, groundwater pumping and deforestation for development and livestock grazing.
This species leopard frog is distinguished by its distinctive green and black pattern and a snore-like call lasting 1 to 2 seconds.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.