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.
Common Name:American Bullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbeianus Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the biggest frog in the state, capable of reaching over 7 inches long. The mature males of the species have bright yellow colored throats.
Common Name:Green Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Breeding Season:
The Green Frog and American Bullfrog looks the same but the Bullfrog lacks a dorsal ridge down their back. The American Bullfrog also grows much larger than the Green Frog.
Common Name:Southern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana sphenocephalus Breeding Season:
The Northern and Southern Leopard Frogs look extremely alike. The Southern Leopard Frog has a white spot in its tympanum (ear spot) while the Northern one generally doesn’t. The Northern Leopard Frog has a more rounded spot than the Southern Leopard Frog.
Common Name:Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla versicolor Breeding Season:
The Eastern and Gray Tree Frog and the Cope’s Gray Tree Frog are identical besides their calls. They have yellow markings on their hind legs. They can also be green or gray in color.
Common Name:Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Breeding Season:
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.
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.
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.
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 Location:Everywhere besides the northeastern and southeastern corners of the state Breeding Season:
The Great Basin Spadefoot toad has glandular boss between its eyes.
Common Name:American Bullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbeiana Location:Northcentral border Breeding Season:
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. It has a negative effect on native animals including other frogs.
Common Name:Green Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Location:Weber County Breeding Season:
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.
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
For a small state, Rhode Island has a decent amount of frogs.
Common Name:American Bullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbeiana Location:Statewide Breeding Season: May to August
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. They are very similar to Green Frogs but they don’t have a dorsal ridge down their back. It wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name:Green Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Location:Statewide Breeding Season: mid April to August
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow.
Common Name:Northern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana pipiens Location:Northern part Breeding Season: Late March to early May
The Northern Leopard Frog is a medium to large species of semi aquatic species of frog. They vary in color from dark brown to slim green with fairly large spots all over their body.
Northern Leopard Frog, Atlantic Coastal Leopard Frog look very similar to each other. The Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog vs Northern Leopard Frog, the Atlantic Coastal Frog has more white in its tympanum than the Northern.
Common Name:Wood Frog Scientific Name:Rana sylvatica Location:Statewide Breeding Season: Late February to mid April
The Wood Frog is a small to medium sized frog. They vary in color from brown, silver, or red and they have dark “raccoon” eyes. When winter comes, the Wood Frog can freeze completely solid and then unthaw in spring. They start to breed once the ice is off the ponds in late February to early April. After breeding season, they are often found in the woods, far away from any water bodies.
Common Name:Spring Peeper Scientific Name:Pseudacris crucifer Location:Statewide Breeding Season: March through June
The Spring Peeper is a small chorus frog that can often be found on forest floor or low on trunks of trees. They can be hard to find due to their small size, however, in spring when they come to temporary ponds to breed, they are easier to find. They can be distinguished from other frogs due to the X on their back.
Common Name:Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla versicolor Location:Statewide Breeding Season: Mid April through July
The Eastern Gray Tree Frog is a medium sized frog that can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Toads
There are three toads in Rhode Island, two from the True Toad family and one from the Spadefoot toad family.
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.
Common Name:Eastern Spadefoot Toad Scientific Name:Scaphiopus holbrookii Location:Statewide Breeding Season: Following heavy rain fall from spring throughout the summer
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.
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.
Common Name:Gopher Frog Scientific Name:Rana capito Location:Coffee County Breeding Season:
Gopher Frogs have irregular spots all over their body and their skin is rough. There are only two records of the frog in the state so its not likely to be seen.
The Cricket Frogs look really similar but there’s a few ways to tell them apart. The Southern Cricket Frog has a more pointed snout while the Northern Cricket Frog has a more blunt snout. The Southern Cricket Frog doesn’t have as much webbing on the back legs as the Northern Cricket Frog.
Common Name:Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla versicolor Location:Southeastern corner of the state Breeding Season:
Common Name:Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
These two frogs are identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers. These tree frogs are also larger than the ones below. Also note that Gray Tree Frogs are not always gray and can be green. These frogs also have orange or yellow markings on their back legs.
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.
Common Name:Eastern Spadefoot Toad Scientific Name:Scaphiopus holbrookii Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Eastern Spadefoot Toad is the only species of spadefoot toad in the state. They have a noticeable spade on their hind legs that they use for digging.
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.
Kentucky is home to a variety of different frogs and toad species.
Common Name:AmericanBullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbiana Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. They are very similar to Green Frogs but they don’t have a dorsal ridge down their back. It wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name:Green Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. Best way to tell them apart from other true frogs below is the dorsal ridge on its back does not go all the way down its back.
Common Name:Wood Frog Scientific Name:Rana sylvatica Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Wood Frog is a small to medium sized frog. They vary in color from brown, silver, or red and they have dark “raccoon” eyes. When winter comes, the Wood Frog can freeze completely solid and then unthaw in spring. They start to breed once the ice is off the ponds in late March / early April. After breeding season, they are often found in the woods, far away from any water bodies.
The Northern Leopard Frog is a medium to large species of semi aquatic species of frog. They vary in color from dark brown to slim green with fairly large spots all over their body.
Common Name:Southern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana sphenocephalus Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Northern and Southern Leopard Frog look very much alike with their uninterrupted dorsal ridges and spots but there are some differences. Southern Leopard Frog has a white spot on the tympanum and has a more pointed snout.
Common Name:Plains Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana blairi Location:Western edge of the state Breeding Season:
The Plains Leopard Frog looks like the Northern and Southern Leopard Frog but the dorsal ridge is not complete like theirs. It shifts inward near the groin and can be broken.
Common Name:Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name: Hyla versicolor Location:Northern border Breeding Season:
Common Name:Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Gray Tree Frogs are nearly identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers. These medium sized frogs can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Here is a video of some Eastern Gray Tree Frog males calling that I took
Common Name:Spring Peeper Scientific Name:Pseudacris crucifer Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Spring Peeper is a small chorus frog that can often be found on forest floor or low on trunks of trees. They can be hard to find due to their small size, however, in spring when they come to temporary ponds to breed, they are easier to find. They can be distinguished from Boreal Chorus Frog and Cricket Frog due to their x on their back.
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.
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.
Common Name:Crawfish Frog Scientific Name:Rana areolatus Location: Southwestern corner diagonally up to the northeastern corner Breeding Season:
The Crawfish Frog gets its name from living in crawfish holes. Its has skin folds on the side and a small typanum. It also has a pair of vocal sacs for calling.
Common Name:American Bullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbeiana Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. They are very similar to Green Frogs but they don’t have a dorsal ridge down their back. It wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name:Green Frog / Bronze Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Location:Everywhere besides western corner of the state Breeding Season:
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. Best way to tell them apart from other true frogs below is the dorsal ridge on its back does not go all the way down its back.
Common Name:Northern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana pipiens Location:Northern edge of the state Breeding Season:
The Northern Leopard Frog is a medium to large species of semi aquatic species of frog. They vary in color from dark brown to slim green with fairly large spots all over their body.
Common Name:Southern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana spenocephalus Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Southern Leopard Frog has a white spot on its tympanum which can help differentiate the species from the other two. The Plains Leopard Frog is different from the Southern and Northern Leopard Frog because of its dorsal ridge. The Plains Leopard Frogs has a break and an indent near its butt while the North and South Leopard Frog just has a straight line.
Common Name:Wood Frog Scientific Name:Rana sylvatica Location:Southeastern border and small spot on the southern border Breeding Season:
The Wood Frog is a small to medium sized frog. They vary in color from brown, silver, or red and they have dark “raccoon” eyes. After breeding season, they are often found in the woods, far away from any water bodies.
Common Name:Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Scientific Name:Acris blanchardi Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is the only cricket frog in the state. Its skin is relatively more rough than the other tree frogs in the state. It also has no distinct markings.
Common Name:Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla versicolor Location:Everywhere besides southeastern corner of the state Breeding Season:
Common Name:Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Location:Everywhere besides northeastern corner of the state Breeding Season:
The Gray Tree Frogs are nearly identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers. These medium sized frogs can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Here is a video of some Eastern Gray Tree Frog males calling that I took
Common Name:Spring Peeper Scientific Name:Pseudacris crucifer Location:Statewide besides western border Breeding Season:
The Spring Peeper is a small chorus frog that can often be found on forest floor or low on trunks of trees. They can be hard to find due to their small size, however, in spring when they come to temporary ponds to breed, they are easier to find. They can be distinguished from other Chorus Frogs due to their x on their back.
Common Name:Boreal Chorus Frog Scientific Name:Pseudacris maculata Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Boreal Chorus Frog is a small sized Chorus Frog, ranging from brown, red, tan, to olive in color. They have three stripes on its back are often not broken and if one is, its the middle.
The Upland and Cajun Chorus Frog are both found in the Southeast part of the state. They are very hard to tell apart. The best way to tell is by their calls and through genetic testing. The stripes on their back are often broken and can even appear as spots.
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.
Common Name:Woodhouse’s Toad Scientific Name:Anaxyrus woodhousii Location:Western half Breeding Season:
The Fowler’s and Woodhouse’s Toads both have cranial crests that form opposing L shapes. The Fowler’s Toad has largest, dark spots on its back that have 3 or more warts in them.
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.
Oklahoma is home to a great variety of frogs and toad species.
Frogs
Frogs in the state are from two different families, Hylidae – the Tree Frogs, and Ranidae – the True Frogs.
Common Name:Green Frog / Bronze Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Location:Eastern border of the state Breeding Season:
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. The Green Frog has partial dorsal ridge down the side of their body.
Common Name:American Bullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbeiana Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. They are very similar to Green Frogs but they don’t have a dorsal ridge down their back. It wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name:Southern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana sphenocephalus Location:Eastern half of the state Breeding Season:
The Plains and Southern Leopard Frog can be hard to tell apart. The Southern Leopard Frog’s dorsal ridge down their back is unbroken while the Plains dorsal ridge can be broken.
Common Name:Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Scientific Name:Acris blanchardi Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is the only cricket frog in the state. Its skin is relatively more rough than the other tree frogs in the state. It also has no distinct markings.
Common Name:Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla versicolor Location:Eastern edge of the state Breeding Season:
Common Name:Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Location:Eastern half Breeding Season:
The Gray Tree Frogs are nearly identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers. These medium sized frogs can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Here is a video of some Eastern Gray Tree Frogs calling that I took.
Common Name:Bird-Voiced Frog Scientific Name:Hyla avivoca Location:Southeastern corner Breeding Season:
The Gray Tree Frogs and the Bird-Voiced Frog look very much a like. The difference is the coloration on the inner thigh. The Gray Tree Frogs have brighter orange color on the thigh while the Bird-Voiced Frog is more greenish-yellow.
Common Name:Spring Peeper Scientific Name:Pseudacris crucifer Location:Eastern edge of the state Breeding Season:
The Spring Peeper is a small chorus frog that can often be found on forest floor or low on trunks of trees. They can be hard to find due to their small size, however, in spring when they come to temporary ponds to breed, they are easier to find. They can be distinguished from other Chorus Frogs due to their x on their back.
The Boreal Chorus Frog is a small sized Chorus Frog, ranging from brown, red, tan, to olive in color with three lines that run down its back and are rarely broken up but if they are, its usually only the middle stripe.
Common Name:Strecker’s Chorus Frog Scientific Name:Pseudacris streckeri Location:Everywhere besides the panhandle Breeding Season: February to March
The Strecker’s Chorus Frog lacks doesn’t have any pattern of stripes or dots on its back. It has a line that runs through its eye and down its side though.
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.
Common Name:Fowler’s Toad Scientific Name:Anaxyrus fowleri Location:Eastern edge of the state Breeding Season:
The Fowler’s Toad appears similar to the American Toad. Their postorbital ridge touches their parotid gland. They also have a white belly while the American Toad’s is speckled.
If you are looking to identify certain frogs and toads that you found 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.
Common Name:Crawfish Frog Scientific Name:Rana areolatus Location:Eastern edge of the state Breeding Season:
The Crawfish Frog gets its name from living in crawfish holes. Its has skin folds on the side and a small typanum. It also has a pair of vocal sacs for calling.
Common Name:American Bullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbeiana Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. They are very similar to Green Frogs but they don’t have a dorsal ridge down their back. It wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name:Green Frog / Bronze Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Location:Southeastern corner of the state Breeding Season:
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. Best way to tell them apart from other true frogs below is the dorsal ridge on its back does not go all the way down its back.
Common Name:Southern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana sphenocephalus Location:Eastern edge of the state Breeding Season:
The Southern Leopard Frog and Plains Leopard Frog appear identical. They both have large spots all over their body. The difference between the frogs lies in their dorsal ridge. The Southern Leopard Frog’s ridge runs straight down the side while the Plains Leopard Frog’s ridge indents near the butt.
Common Name:Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Scientific Name:Acris blanchardi Location:Statewide besides the western border Breeding Season:
The Northern Cricket Frog is the only cricket frog in the state. Its skin is relatively more rough than the other tree frogs in the state. It also has no distinct markings.
Common Name:Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla versicolor Location:Eastern edge Breeding Season:
Common Name:Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Location:Eastern half Breeding Season:
The Gray Tree Frogs are nearly identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers. These medium sized frogs can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Here is a video of some Eastern Gray Tree Frog males calling that I took
Common Name:Spring Peeper Scientific Name:Pseudacris crucifer Location:Southeastern corner Breeding Season:
The Spring Peeper is a small chorus frog that can often be found on forest floor or low on trunks of trees. They can be hard to find due to their small size, however, in spring when they come to temporary ponds to breed, they are easier to find. They can be distinguished from Boreal Chorus Frog and Cricket Frog due to their x on their back.
Common Name:Boreal Chorus Frog Scientific Name:Pseudacris maculata Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The Boreal Chorus Frog is a small sized Chorus Frog, ranging from brown, red, tan, to olive in color. They have three lines that run down its back and are rarely broken up but if they are, its usually only the middle stripe.
Common Name:Strecker’s Chorus Frog Scientific Name:Pseudacrisstreckeri Location:Harper, Pratt, Barber and Kingman counties Breeding Season:
The Strecker’s Chorus Frog lacks doesn’t have any pattern of stripes or dots on its back. It has a line that runs through its eye and down its side though.
Common Name:Western Narrow Mouthed Toad / Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad Scientific Name:Gastrophryne olivacea Location:Middle of the state Breeding Season:
The Western Narrow Mouthed Toad has a light, unmarked belly and has no patterns and a few spots on its back.
If you are looking to identify specific frogs and toads of Arkansas 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.
Common Name: Crawfish Frog Scientific Name: Rana areolatus Location: Western border +and along the Arkansas river Breeding Season:
The Crawfish Frog gets its name from living in crawfish holes. Its has skin folds on the side and a small typanum. It also has a pair of vocal sacs for calling.
Common Name: American Bullfrog Scientific Name: Rana catesbeiana Location: Throughout state Breeding Season: April to July
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. They are very similar to Green Frogs but they don’t have a dorsal ridge down their back. It wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name: Bronze Frog or Green Frog Scientific Name:Rana clamitans Location: Throughout state Breeding Season: April to July
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. 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: Southern Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana sphenocephalus Location: Throughout state Breeding Season:
The Southern Leopard Frog and Plains Leopard Frog appear identical. They both have large spots all over their body. The difference between the frogs lies in their dorsal ridge. The Southern Leopard Frog’s ridge runs straight down the side while the Plains Leopard Frog’s ridge indents near the butt.
The Wood Frog is a s small to medium sized frog. They vary in color from brown, silver, or red and they have dark “raccoon” eyes. After breeding season, they are often found in the woods, far away from any water bodies.
Common Name: Eastern Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla versicolor Location: Northwest corner Breeding Season:
Common Name: Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Location: Everywhere besides the northwest corner of the state Breeding Season: March to August
The Gray Tree Frogs are nearly identical besides their calls and chromosome numbers. These medium sized frogs can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Common Name: Bird-Voiced Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla avivoca Location: Southern edge of state Breeding Season: April to August
The Cope’s Gray Tree Frog, the Eastern Gray Tree Frogand the Bird-Voiced Frog look very much a like. The difference is the coloration on the inner thigh. Cope’s Gray Tree Frog and Gray Tree Frog has brighter orange color on the thigh while the Bird-Voiced Frog is more greenish-yellow.
Common Name: Squirrel Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla sauirella Location: Southern border Breeding Season:
The Green and Squirrel Tree Frog are very similar. The Green Tree Frog has a stripe that goes down its side while the Squirrel Tree Frog doesn’t. The Squirrel Tree Frog is rarer than the Green Tree Frog and is only found on the southern border of the state.
Common Name: Blanchard’s Cricket Frog Scientific Name: Acris blanchardi Location: Northern border Breeding Season: January through April
The Blanchard’s Cricket Frog is the only cricket frog in the state. Its skin is relatively more rough than the other tree frogs in the state. It also has no distinct markings.
Chorus Frogs – Pseudacris
Chorus Frogs are generally more terrestrial compared to Tree Frogs from the genus Hyla
Common Name: Cajun Chorus Frog Scientific Name: Pseudacris fouquettei Location: Throughout state Breeding Season: January through April
The Upland and Cajun Chorus Frogs look very much alike. Best way to tell them apart is through genetic tests, call, or by location. The Upland Chorus Frog appears only in the northeastern corner in the state while the Cajun appears everywhere.
Common Name: Boreal Chorus Frog Scientific Name: Pseudacris maculata Location: Northern edge of the state Breeding Season:
The Boreal Chorus Frog is a small sized Chorus Frog, ranging from brown, red, tan, to olive in color. It has three lines that run done its back that are rarely broken.
Common Name: Streckler’s Chorus Frog Scientific Name: Pseudacris streckeri Location: Western part of the state Breeding Season:
The Illinois and Strecker’s Chorus Frog are basically identical so best way to tell them apart is where they are found. Both frogs differ from the other chorus frogs because they don’t have a white line that extends off the lips.
Common Name: Spring Peeper Scientific Name: Pseudacris crucifer Location: Throughout state Breeding Season: January to April
The Spring Peeper is a small chorus frog that can often be found on forest floor or low on trunks of trees. They can be hard to find due to their small size, however, in spring when they come to temporary ponds to breed, they are easier to find. They can be distinguished from Boreal Chorus Frog and Cricket Frog due to their x on their back.
The True Toads are the typical toads that you know. They have warts along their back and parotoid glands behind their eyes. These toads produce toxins so make sure to wash your hands after handling and don’t eat them.
The Fowler’s and Woodhouse’s Toads both have cranial crests that form opposing L shapes. The Fowler’s Toad has largest, dark spots on its back that have 3 or more warts in them.
The Coastal Plains Toad is notable from the other toads in the family because its in a different genus than them, Incilius instead of Anaxyrus. The genus Incilius has a more defined cranial crest than Anaxyrus.
Common Name: Great Plains Narrow Mouthed Toad Scientific Name: Gastrophryne olivacea Location: Western half of the state Breeding Season:
The Western Narrow Mouthed Toad is found on the western edge of the state. It has a light, unmarked belly and has no patterns and a few spots on its back.
Common Name: Plains Spadefoot Toad Scientific Name: Spea bombifrons Location: Center of the state Breeding Season:
The Plains Spadefoot Toad has a rounded spade compared to the other two spadefoot toads. They are extremely rare in the state and found only in 4 spots.
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.
Common Name:American Bullfrog Scientific Name:Rana catesbeiana Location:Statewide Breeding Season:
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the state. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. They are very similar to Green Frogs but they don’t have a dorsal ridge down their back. It wraps around their tympanum.
Common Name: Northern Leopard Frog Scientific Name: Rana pipiens Location: Everywhere besides the southern border Breeding Season:
The Northern Leopard Frog is a medium to large species of semi aquatic species of frog. They vary in color from dark brown to slim green with fairly large spots all over their body.
Common Name:Plains Leopard Frog Scientific Name:Rana blairi Location: Everywhere besides the northwestern corner 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.
Common Name:Cope’s Gray Tree Frog Scientific Name:Hyla chrysoscelis Location:Eastern half of the state Breeding Season:
The Cope’s Gray Tree Frog is a medium sized frog that can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
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.
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.
