Frogs and Toads of Utah
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Frogs
True Frog Family – Ranidae
American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeianus)
Common Name: American Bullfrog
Scientific Name: Rana catesbeianus
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The American Bullfrog is the largest native frog in the United States. There is no dorsal ridge that runs down its back on the American Bullfrog. This is the distinguishable characteristics of the frog.
Common Name: Green Frog
Scientific Name: Rana clamitans
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The Green Frog looks very much like the American Bullfrog but it’s a tad smaller. It has a dorsal ridge that runs down its back but they are incomplete and do not reach all the way.
Common Name: Colombia Spotted Frog
Scientific Name: Rana luteiventris
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The Columbia Spotted Frog has small spots all over their body that are often lighter on the inside.
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)
Common Name: Northern Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana pipiens
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The Northern Leopard Frog has fairly large spots all over their body. The dorsal ridge is nearly complete.
Common Name: Lowland Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana yavapaiensis
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The Lowland Leopard Frog is stockier and paler than the Northern Leopard Frog.
Common Name: Relict Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana onca
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The Relict Leopard Frog hasn’t been seen in the state since the 50s so it is probably extinct but who knows. The dorsal folds on the frog end well before the groin. It also has shorter legs than the Northern Leopard Frog.
Tree Frog Family – Hylidae
Common Name: Canyon Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla arenicolor
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The Canyon Tree Frog lacks a stripe that runs through its eye.
Common Name: Pacific Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Pseudacris regilla
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Pacific Tree Frog has the stripe through its eye but no stripes down its back.
Common Name: Boreal Chorus Frog
Scientific Name: Pseudacris maculata
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The Boreal Chorus Frog has a stripe through its eye and three down its back.
Toads
True Toad Family – Bufonidae
Common Name: Arizona Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus microscaphus
Location: Southwest Corner
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The toad has weak or no cranial crests.
Common Name: Great Plains Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus cognatus
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The Great Plains Toad has a well defined cranial crest that forms a V shape.
Video of a male Great Plains Toad calling by Annika Enloe
Common Name: Red Spotted Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus punctatus
Location: Southern part of the state
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The Red Spotted Toad has a small flattened head and body with weak or no cranial crest.
Common Name: Western Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus boreas
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The Western Toad has no cranial crests and has a white line down its back.
Common Name: Woodhouse’s Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus woodhousii
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The Woodhouse’s Toad has well defined cranial crest that form opposing L shapes.
Spadefoot Toad Family – Scaphiopodidae
The Spadefoot Toads are a fossorial group of “toads”, meaning they spend most of their time underground. They are not considered true toads but are still called toads.
Common Name: Great Basin Spadefoot Toad
Scientific Name: Spea intermontana
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The Great Basin Spadefoot toad has glandular boss between its eyes.
Common Name: Mexican Spadefoot Toad
Scientific Name: Spea multiplicata
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The Mexican Spadefoot Toad has no boss between its eyes.
Common Name: Plains Spadefoot Toad
Scientific Name: Spea bombifrons
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The Plains Spadefoot Toad has a bony boss between its eyes.
