Frogs and Toads of Manitoba, Canada
Frogs
True Frog family – Ranidae
Common Name: Wood Frog
Scientific Name: Rana sylvatica
Location: Throughout the province
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The Wood Frog is known for the mask around its eyes.
Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)
Common Name: Northern Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana pipiens
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The Northern Leopard Frog has large dark spots all over its body. They have a complete dorsal ridge.
Common Name: Green Frog
Scientific Name: Rana clamitans
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The Green Frog’s dorsal ridge is incomplete and doesn’t reach its butt.
Common Name: Mink Frog
Scientific Name: Rana septrentionalis
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The Mink Frog’s dorsal ridge is absent or weak. They are highly marbled.
Tree Frog family – Hylidae
Common Name: Eastern Gray Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla veriscolor
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Common Name: Cope’s Gray Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla chrysoscelis
Location: Throughout state
Breeding Season: End of April to early August
The Cope’s Gray Tree Frog and Eastern Gray Tree Frog are nearly identical. The only differences are their calls and chromosome numbers. Here’s a video I took of the Eastern Gray Tree Frog calling.
Common Name: Spring Peeper
Scientific Name: Pseudacris crucifer
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The Spring Peeper has a distinct X shape on its back. It is one of the first frogs to start calling during spring.
Common Name: Boreal Chorus Frog
Scientific Name: Pseudacris maculata
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The Boreal Chorus Frog has three stripes that run down its back. Here’s a video of one calling that I took.
Toads
True Toad family – Bufonidae
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
Common Name: American Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus americanus
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The American Toad’s cranial crest forms opposing L shapes.
Common Name: Great Plains Toad
Scientific Name: Anaxyrus cognatus
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The Great Plains Toad’s cranial crest forms a V shape between the eyes.
Video of a male Great Plains Toad calling by Annika Enloe
Spadefoot Toad family – Scaphiopodidae

Common Name: Plains Spadefoot Toad
Scientific Name: Spea bombifrons
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The Plains Spadefoot toad is the only spadefoot toad in the province. 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 province has.
So interesting! We love the sounds that the tree frogs make, and have seen some beautiful ones where we live in Manitoba – bright green!