Frogs and Toads of Pennsylvania
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Frogs
True Frog Family – Ranidae
The True Frogs are your typical frogs that are generally found along the shores of a lake or pond.
American Bullfrog (Rana catesbiana)
Common Name: American Bullfrog
Scientific Name: Rana catesbiana
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. The dorsal ridge of the American Bullfrog wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name: Green Frog
Scientific Name: Rana clamitans
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. Best way to tell them apart from other true frogs below is the dorsal ridge on its back does not go all the way down its back.
Common Name: Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana kauffeldi
Location: Southeastern corner of the state
Breeding Season:
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)
Common Name: Northern Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana pipiens
Location: Throughout the state besides the eastern edge
Breeding Season:
The Northern Leopard Frog is a medium to large species of semi aquatic species of frog. They vary in color from dark brown to slim green with fairly large spots all over their body.
Common Name: Southern Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana sphenocephalus
Location: Eastern edge of the state
Breeding Season:
Southern Leopard Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, and Atlantic Coastal Leopard Frog look very similar to each other. The Southern Leopard Frog has the most pointed snout while Atlantic Coastal Leopard Frog is less pointed. The Northern Leopard Frog’s snout is rounded.
Common Name: Pickeral Frog
Scientific Name: Rana palustris
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
The Pickerel Frog is a medium to large sized frog. Their dorsal ridge runs down from their eye to their back and inside there is rectangular boxes.
Common Name: Wood Frog
Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
The Wood Frog is a small to medium sized frog. They vary in color from brown, silver, or red and they have dark “raccoon” eyes. When winter comes, the Wood Frog can freeze completely solid and then unthaw in spring. They start to breed once the ice is off the ponds in late March / early April. After breeding season, they are often found in the woods, far away from any water bodies.
True Frog Family – Hylidae
Cope’s Gray Tree Frog (Hyla chrysoscelis) and Eastern Gray Tree Frog (Hyla veriscolor)
Common Name: Eastern Gray Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla veriscolor
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
Common Name: Cope’s Gray Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla chrysoscelis
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
The Gray Tree Frogs are nearly identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers. These medium sized frogs can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Common Name: Northern Cricket Frog
Scientific Name: Acris crepitans
Location: Eastern corner of the state
Breeding Season:
Northern Cricket Frog is the only cricket frog in the state. It does not have any distinct markings on its back.
Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
Common Name: Spring Peeper
Scientific Name: Pseudacrus crucifer
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
The Spring Peeper is a small chorus frog that can often be found on forest floor or low on trunks of trees. They can be hard to find due to their small size, however, in spring when they come to temporary ponds to breed, they are easier to find. They can be distinguished from the other Chorus Frogs due to their x on their back.
Common Name: Western Chorus Frog
Scientific Name: Pseudacris triseriata
Location: Western edge of the state
Breeding Season:
Common Name: Upland Chorus Frog
Scientific Name: Pseudacris feriarum
Location: Southcentral PA
Breeding Season:
Common Name: New Jersey Chorus Frog
Scientific Name: Pseudacris kalmi
Location: Eastern side of the state
Breeding Season:
The Midland, Upland, and New Jersey Chorus frogs appear very similar. The Upland Chorus frog’s stripes on their back can be broken while the other two’s stripes are usually not broken besides sometimes the middle.
Toads
True Toad Family – Bufonidae
The True Toads are your typical toad. They usually have a parotid gland behind their eyes that contain a poison called It is not advised to let your dog eat these guys.
American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus)
Common Name: American Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
Common Name: Fowler’s Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus fowleri
Location: Statewide besides the northern border
Breeding Season:
The Fowler’s Toad and the American Toad look very much a like but there are some differences in the back of the head and on their belly.
The American Toad’s parotid gland is separated from the cranial crest while the Fowler’s Toad’s touches.
The Fowler’s Toad has a clear, white belly while the American Toad’s belly is speckled.
Spadefoot Toad Family – Scaphiopodidae
Common Name: Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Scientific Name: Scaphiopus holbrooki
Location: Southeastern corner
Breeding Season:
The Eastern Spadefoot toad is the only Spadefoot toad in the state. They live most of their life underground.
