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Northern leopard frog vision: the science and the numbers

Lithobates pipiens · order Anura · Amphibians: all the numbers

Leopard frogs have 2 colour receptor classes (502 and 562 nm).[1][2] Their sharpest vision resolves 2.8 cycles per degree, against 63.75 for people in this dataset.[6]

See it on your photoBack to How do leopard frogs see?
  • 2colour receptor classesMeasured*
  • 2.8cycles per degree (sharpness)Measured

The northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) is an amphibian in the order Anura. Its eyes belong to the vision type Amphibian motion detector: low sharpness, eyes tuned to dim light and a strong response to moving objects. Measured in this species: colour, sharpness and night vision. Measured core: measured values on at least 3 of the 6 dials.

This is a simulation built from published eye measurements, not what the animal experiences.

Method: How we know what animals see (the See Like Animals vision engine) · Sources · Last updated . Every value below carries its evidence level and sources; nothing is typed by hand.

What leopard frogs see: colour receptors

Northern leopard frog colour receptor peaks, 300 to 700 nmNorthern leopard frog: 2 receptor peaks at 502, 562 nm; you: 3 at 421.5, 532, 558.4 nm. ultraviolet300400500600700
Northern leopard frog: 502, 562 nmPeople: 421.5, 532, 558.4 nmWavelength in nanometres

What stands out

  • It has two colour receptor classes (a dichromat): reds and greens fall on one axis, as in red-green colour blindness in people.
  • Its sharpest vision resolves 2.8 cycles per degree: the finest stripe pattern it can tell apart from grey.
  • Activity pattern: cathemeral.

The six dials

Evidence levels: how the tiers work. "Measured" means a value measured in this species; "Estimated" values come from a close relative or an eye-size formula. The last column gives the values for people from the same catalogue.

Vision values for the northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens), catalogue-v1
DialValueEvidenceSourcesPeople
ColourColour receptors
2 receptor classes: 502 nm (MWS (green)), 562 nm (LWS (long))
measured in this species
Measured (not re-verified)[1][2]Colour receptors: 3 receptor classes: 421.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 532 nm (MWS (green)), 558.4 nm (LWS (long)) Measured (not re-verified)[2][3][4][5]
SharpnessAcuity
2.8 cycles per degree
median of 1 behavioural rows (method priority rule)
Measured[6]Acuity: 63.75 cycles per degree Measured[7][8]
Field of viewNo value in the catalogue.Binocular overlap: 122.5° Measured[9][10]
Total field of view: 200° Measured (not re-verified)[11]
Blind area behind the head: 160° Derived[11]
Eye placement: frontal Derived[9][10]
Sharp zones (foveas)No value in the catalogue.Number of foveas: 1 Measured[12]
Fovea type: fovea Measured[12]
Night visionActivity pattern
cathemeral
mode of 5 rows (of 5 rows): arrhythmic/cathemeral; cathemeral; diurnal and nocturnal; nocturnal
Measured (not re-verified)[13][2][14][15][16]Activity pattern: diurnal Measured (not re-verified)[13][17][18][2][19][20][21][15]
Pupil shape: vertical Group default[22][23]
Reflective layer (tapetum): no Measured[24]
Rods vs cones: cone-dominated Derived[13][17][18][2][19][20][21][15]
Pupil shape
horizontal		Measured[23]
Rods vs cones
mixed
nocturnal -> rod-dominated; crepuscular / cathemeral / mixed -> mixed; diurnal -> cone-dominated
Derived[13][2][14][15][16]
Motion (flicker fusion)Flicker fusion frequency
21 Hz
median of 1 relatives in genus Lithobates: Lithobates clamitans
Estimated[25]Flicker fusion frequency: 60 Hz Measured[26][25]

All amphibians side by side: Amphibians: every measurement. Method: how we know what animals see.

Sources

  1. Yovanovich et al. 2017
  2. Longcore 2023
  3. Kirwan
  4. Müller et al. 2009
  5. Thermal Activation and Photoactivation of Visual… 2004
  6. Caves et al. 2024
  7. Kirk et al. 2004
  8. Veilleux et al. 2014
  9. Heesy 2004
  10. Heffner et al. 1992
  11. Campbell & Green 1965
  12. Kopania et al. 2025
  13. Anderson et al. 2017
  14. Schott et al. 2024
  15. Moura et al. 2024
  16. Wan et al. 2023
  17. Borges et al. 2018
  18. Wilman et al. 2014
  19. Maor et al. 2017
  20. Jones et al. 2009
  21. Schmitz et al. 2011
  22. Banks et al. 2015
  23. Cervino et al. 2021
  24. Guareschi et al. 2025
  25. Inger et al. 2014
  26. Healy et al. 2013

Every value cites its sources (all sources). Values were extracted from these works and converted (units, medians, derived values); changes are ours, and the listed sources do not endorse this site. Data: catalogue-v1, built 2026-09-29. Accuracy notes: how accurate is this? Method: how we know.