*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Description:
Similar Species:
Species Range: From Mobile Bay, Alabama, west through southern Mississippi to the eastern Florida Parishes of Louisiana.
Louisiana Range: Eastern Florida Parishes of Tangipahoa, Washington and St. Tammany.
Habitat:
Natural History:
Call:
Best Time and Place to Observe:
Global Conservation Status: Dusky Gopher Frogs have a restricted historical range in the southeastern United States, and an extant range of only one area in southern Mississippi, with less than 250 adults in total, and thus, are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G1 (Critically Imperiled).
Federal Conservation Status: The Dusky Gopher Frog is a federally endangered species.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Dusky Gopher Frogs are considered extirpated from Louisiana and currently have a state ranking of SH (historical occurrence with no recent records verified within the last 20 years). The Dusky Gopher Frog range in the eastern Florida Parishes represented the westernmost extent of the species range. Habitat destruction resulting from urban development and resulting fire suppression has been implicated in the extirpation of this species from Louisiana.
***If you live in the historical range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed or heard this species please let me know (take a picture or audio recording if possible), as it would be an important discovery.***
Author's Remarks: I have not observed this species in its last known area in southern Mississippi. This species is believed for some time now to be extirpated in Louisiana.
