Frogs and Toads of Rhode Island

Frogs

For a small state, Rhode Island has a decent amount of frogs.

True Frogs Family – Ranidae

The American Bullfrog and the Green Frog are similar but the American Bullfrog is larger. The Green Frog also has a impartial dorsal ridge while the American Bullfrog does not have one.

Pickeral Frog, Northern Leopard Frog, Atlantic Coastal Leopard Frog look very similar to each other because of the spots but the Pickeral frog’s spots are more rectangular than the Northern Leopard / Atlantic Coastal Frog. Now for Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog vs Northern Leopard Frog, the Atlantic Coastal Frog has more white in its tympanum than the Northern.

Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)

The Wood Frog is easily identifiable from its raccoon mask around its eyes.

Tree Frog Family – Hylidae

Rhode Island only has two species of tree frog.

The Spring Peeper is the only chorus frog in Rhode Island. It has a distinct x on its back.

The Gray Tree frog is larger than the Spring Peeper, doesn’t have an x on its back, and has yellow / orange markings on leg

Toads

There are three toads in Rhode Island, two from the True Toad family and one from the Spadefoot toad family.

True Toad Family – Bufonidae

This is the best pic to tell apart the Fowler’s and American Toad.

Spadefoot Toad Family – Scaphiopodidae

The Eastern Spadefoot Toad is the only spadefoot toad in the state so just look for the toad with a spade on its rear feet.