Frogs and Toads of Washington
The States of Washington is home to a many different species of frogs and toads. Learn about them and how to identify them below.
Frogs
True Frog Family – Ranidae
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)
The Northern Leopard Frog has a pale complete dorsal ridge and well defined spots all over its body.
The Cascade Frog has a yellowish underside and not well-defined spots on its body. Dorsal ridge down its side.
The Columbia Spotted Frog has small spots all over its body and a reddish belly.
The Oregon Spotted Frog has a red belly that doesn’t have spots on it. The Frog has a more reddish appearance than the Columbia Spotted Frog or the Cascade Frog.
The Northern Red-Legged Frog has a red belly that is spotted. The dorsal ridge is full on the frog.
Tree Frog Family – Hylidae
The Pacific Tree Frog is the only native tree frog in the state. Its really a chorus frog too, not even a Hyla Tree Frog.
Tailed Frog Family -Ascaphidae
The Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog is found on the eastern side of the state, by the Rocky Mountains.
The Coastal Tailed Frog is found on the western side of the state, near the coast, hence the name.
Toads
True Toad Family – Bufonidae
The Western Toad lacks a cranial crest which separates it from the other toads in the state.
The Woodhouse’s Toad has a cranial crest that looks like two opposing L’s.
Spadefoot Toad Family – Scaphiopodidae
Great Basin Spadefoot Toad is the only spadefoot toad in the state of Washington. It has a spade on each of its rear feet which make it easy to distinguish.
Introduced
American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
The American Bull Frog and the Green Frog have both been introduced to the state and can cause problems for native species. Both frogs are rather large and have ferocious appetites.
