U.S. Immigration focus on American Life: Adam Sepulveda, a biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, recently stated that the virtually omnivorous American bullfrog has spread uncontrollably, moving downstream along the Yellowstone River in Montana and posing a threat to native frog species.
Associated Press reports citing Sepulveda indicate that between 2010 and 2013, the number of bullfrog breeding sites in Montana nearly tripled, reaching as many as 45. Researchers have discovered bullfrogs measuring up to 30 centimeters in length when fully extended.
Sepulveda noted in a research paper published in the academic journal *Aquatic Invasions* that bullfrogs "will eat anything they can swallow, whether it's another bullfrog, a bird, or a mosquito." Last year, a bullfrog captured near the Audubon Center was found to have a yellow warbler in its stomach upon dissection.
Bullfrogs are native to the eastern United States, but due to human factors, they have spread to every state except North Dakota. Sepulveda stated that in other regions, they have caused issues by preying on native frogs, competing for food with other animals, and spreading a fungus suspected of causing widespread declines in amphibian populations.
Montana and federal agencies initially attempted to eradicate the bullfrogs through local culling; however, this effort was eventually abandoned after the population numbers became unmanageable. They are now working to develop a strategy to at least contain the bullfrog infestation.
Regarding how to handle the bullfrogs, many Chinese netizens have offered various culinary solutions: including dry pot, pickled pepper, garlic-braised, and stir-fried with soybean paste methods.