Frogs and Toads of South Dakota
If you are looking to identify a specific frog and can’t figure it out from the page, you can check my Frog Identification and see how to contact me about helping you out.
Frogs
True Frog Family – Ranidae
American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Common Name: American Bullfrog
Scientific Name: Rana catesbeiana
Location: Southern border
Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. The American Bullfrog lacks a dorsal ridge down its back which makes it easy to identify.
Common Name: Wood Frog
Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica
Location: Northeastern corner of the state
Breeding Season:
The Wood Frog has a distinct mask around it’s eyes. They are a variety of different colors, from red, brown, and bronze.
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)
Common Name: Northern Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana pipiens
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
Common Name: Plains Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana blairi
Location: Southeastern part of the state
Breeding Season:
The difference between the Plains Leopard Frog and the Northern Leopard Frog deals with its the dorsal ridge. The Plains Leopard Frog’s dorsal ridge indents near its butt.
Tree Frog Family – Hylidae
Common Name: Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
Scientific Name: Acris blanchardi
Location: Southeastern part of the state
Breeding Season:
The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog’s skin is relatively rougher compared to the other tree frogs in the skin.
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: Southeastern corner of South Dakota
Breeding Season:
Common Name: Cope’s Gray Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla chrysoscelis
Location: Eastern part of state
Breeding Season:
The Gray Tree Frog and Cope’s Gray Tree Frog are nearly identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers.
Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata)
Common Name: Boreal Chorus Frog
Scientific Name: Pseudacris maculata
Location: Throughout state
Breeding Season:
The Boreal Chorus frog has 3 lines that run down their back.
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 Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
Common Name: American Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus
Location: Eastern Edge of state
Breeding Season:
Their cranial crest and the parotoid gland of the toad do not touch or they connect with a spur.
Common Name: Canadian Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus hemiophrys
Location: Northeastern part of state
Breeding Season:
The Canadian Toad’s cranial crest form a boss (bump) in between its eyes.
Common Name: Woodhouse’s Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus woodhousii
Location: Throughout state
Breeding Season:
The Woodhouse’s Toad cranial crest forms opposing L shapes.
Common Name: Great Plains Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus cognatus
Location: Statewide
Breeding Season:
Great Plains Toad’s cranial crest forms a V shape.
Video of a male Great Plains Toad calling by Annika Enloe
Spadefoot Toads – Scaphiopodidae
Common Name: Plains Spadefoot Toad
Scientific Name: Spea bombifrons
Location: Western half
Breeding Season:
The Plains Spadefoot toad is the only spadefoot toad in the state. Look at the rear foot of the toad and you will find a keratinized spade on it which no other toad or frog in the state has.
