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| The difference between frogs and toads. All toads are frogs. Despite popular opinion, there is no distinct evolutionary branch that contains just toads. We call a frog a "toad" because we identify it as being more adapted for living on land than the more wet habitats of regular frogs. Toads generally have more earthy colors, thick, rough, bumpy skin with patterns that hide them well in forest debris. Some toads even have boney "spades" on their feet for better burrowing in the dirt or sand. While these characteristic may seem to fall under a new branch on the evolutionary tree, the truth of the matter is that many different toads actually evolved these adaptations separately from one another. Toads are scattered across branches rather than on a single one. Making the word "toad" a description rather than a classification. |
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Eastern Spadefoot Toad
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Identifying characteristics:
A small brown toad with large protruding eyes with vertical
pupils. Their eyes glow pink under flashlight at night,
making them easy to spot. From the eyes, stems an hourglass-shaped marking
formed by light-colored lines on the back. They may also be
speckled with orange/reddish warts. The hind feet have a
sickle-shaped digging "spade" for burrowing. Size: Average body length of 2 inches. Habitat: Wooded areas with soft soil or sand to burrow through. They spend most of their time underground coming up at night to feed. Food: Carnivorous. Insects and earthworms. Vocalization: repetitive, low-pitched "errrrr." Audio Reproduction: Breeds during times of heavy rain and lay eggs in temporary pools. Tadpoles hatch and mature quickly to beat the drying of the pools and young frogs migrate out by the thousands usually at the same time. Other Info.: Nocturnal. Skin is slightly toxic to some animals. |
Distribution Status:
Status:
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Eastern American Toad
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Identifying
characteristics: A stout, tan to red to brown body and
very noticeable warts. The skin is thick and dry (adapted
for living on land) and the warts can occur in or out of
dark spots on the skin (1-2 warts per dark spot). Large
bean-shaped paratoid glands, often distinguished by color
are on the back of the head. Across the head are 2
well-distinguished cranial crest above the eyes. Large
belly. Size: Average body length of 3 inches. Habitat: Prefers forests, wetlands or fields with dense vegetation, near permanent or semi-permanent freshwater pond or pool (for reproduction). Can be found nearly anywhere. Often found hiding under objects. Food: Carnivorous. Insects other invertebrates. Vocalization: Long, high-pitched chirping trill. Audio Reproduction: Breeds during times of rain and lay eggs in the shallows of ponds or pools. Tadpoles hatch and mature quickly. Other Info.: Diurnal. To beat the summer heat, will often burry themselves in dirt. |
Distribution Status: common
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Fowler's Toad |
Identifying characteristics:
Very similar to the Eastern American Toad. A stout, grey to
brown to olive body and very noticeable warts. The skin is
thick and dry (adapted for living on land) and the warts can
occur in or out of dark spots on the skin (3 or more warts
per dark spot). Large bean-shaped paratoid glands
touches the cranial crests in this species. Has a mid-dorsal
lightly-colored stripe and less prominent cranial crest than
the American Toad. Size: Average body length of 2 inches. Habitat: Prefers forests, wetlands or fields with dense vegetation, near permanent or semi-permanent freshwater ponds or pools (for reproduction). Often found hiding under objects. Food: Carnivorous. Insects and earthworms. Vocalization: Long, high pitched, like a lamb, "waaaaah" Audio, Audio2 Reproduction: Breeds during times of rain and lay eggs in the shallows of ponds or pools. Tadpoles hatch and mature quickly. Other Info.: Nocturnal. May bread with the Eastern American Toad. |
Distribution Status: common
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Gray Treefrog
Click here for alternate image. |
Identifying characteristics:
Although color may vary based on immediate environment,
generally gray or green with black blotches and warts on its
back. The groin region is often yellowish orange with black
speckles. The hind legs have dark bands. The toes have large
pads for sticking to vertical surfaces. The eyes have small
light patches underneath. Moist skin. No Warts. Habitat: Arboreal. Trees in wooded areas near permanent or semi-permanent freshwater pond or pool (for reproduction). Often found in in decaying trees the summer months. During breeding season, near water. Food: Carnivorous. Insects and earthworms. Vocalization: Short, high-pitch trill. Audio Reproduction: Begins calling near shallow water, either on branches or along the shore. Eggs are deposited in shallow water and tadpoles hatch a week later. Juvenile frogs are generally bright green and stay close to water. Other Info.: Nocturnal. May eat other Gray Treefrogs if food is scarce. Color changing. |
Distribution Status: Common
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Northern Spring Peeper
Click here for alternate image. |
Identifying characteristics:
A small, slender frog that is easily identified by the dark
cross on its back (hence the scientific name), though the
cross is diagonal and thus more resembles and X. They vary
in color, from rust to brown to grey to green and often have more
stripe-like markings in addition to the cross. Their skin is
smooth and their belly is cream-colored. Like other tree
frogs they have noticeable pads on their unwebbed
fingers/toes to help them stick to surfaces. Moist skin. No
warts. Size: Average body length of less than 1.5 inches. Habitat: Wooded areas near bodies of temporary/permanent water. Often found in leaf litter, but is a great climber and can also be found in trees. Food: Insectivorous. Small insects. Vocalization: short, high "peep" usually done in duets or trios. Often sounding like small bells. Audio, Audio2 Reproduction: Named for their relatively early breeding season. Breeds in early spring near ponds or stagnant temporary pools in wooded areas. Eggs hatch quickly, but tadpoles take months to mature. Other Info.: Nocturnal. On hot days will dig into soft mud near water to cool off. |
Distribution Status: Common
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Western Chorus Frog
Click here for alternate image.
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Identifying characteristics:
Often identified by a white stripe across the upper lip and
just above that a dark line that runs on each side from the
nose, through the eye and to the groin. More (usually
3) dark stripes or blotches may be present running
down the back. The body color is often brown or reddish
brown to gray or olive with a cream belly. The skin is moist
and slightly bumpy. Toes have toe pads and no webbing. Moist
skin. No
warts. Size: Average body length of 2 inches. Habitat: Many damp areas, but primarily wetland habitats. Require permanent/semi-permanent body of water for reproduction. Food: Insectivorous. Small insects. Vocalization: A rising "cree-ee-eek." Audio Audio2 Reproduction: Calls begin in April, females lay eggs in ponds or pools. Tadpoles can take up to 2 weeks to hatch and almost 3 months to become frogs. Other Info.: Diurnal. Generally active both day and night depending on temperature. |
Distribution Status: Common
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Bull Frog
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Identifying characteristics:
The largest frog in North America, varies in color from
brown to green and may have dark spots on the back. On the
back sides of the head are large tympanic membranes (ear
drums) that looks like circles. The belly is cream colored
but may be bright yellow in males during the breeding
season. The hind feet
are webbed. Sometimes there are dark colored bands or
blotches on the hind legs. The skin is moist. No
warts. Size: Average body length of 4-5 inches. Habitat: Aquatic, requiring water such as a lake, pond, stream, river or marsh. Warm, still waters with abundant vegetation are preferred, but they can be found anywhere. Food: Carnivorous, opportunist. Will eat any animal it can fit in its mouth. Including snakes, lizards and other frogs. Vocalization: A deep loud "rrr-rrr" Audio Reproduction: Breeds throughout the spring and summer, sometimes twice a year. Eggs are laid in thin sheets in water. Tadpoles take a long time to metamorphosize, sometimes remaining tadpoles through the winter. Other Info.: Generally nocturnal, but may be active during the day during breeding season. Will migrate across land to locate a more suitable habitat. |
Distribution Status: Common |
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Northern Green Frog |
Identifying characteristics:
These frogs resemble a small bullfrog, sharing similar
colors and pronounced tympanic membranes (ear drums) behind
the eyes. An easy way to tell them apart is to look for two
parallel skin folds or ridges that extent from the eye down
the back. The body varies in color from brown to green and may
have dark spots on the back. Some specimens may be brown
with partially or completely green heads. The belly is cream
colored but may be bright yellow in males during the
breeding season. The skin is moist. Size: Average body length of 2-4 inches. Habitat: Aquatic, requiring permanent water such as a lake, pond, stream, river or marsh. Prefers abundant vegetation. Food: Carnivorous, opportunist. Will eat any animal it can fit in its mouth. Including small snakes, lizards and other frogs. Vocalization: A banjo-plucking "twang" Audio Reproduction: Breeds throughout the summer. Eggs take a few weeks to hatch. Olive-colored tadpoles develop into frogs after several months. Other Info.: Nocturnal. Very wary and difficult to spot. They will often "yelp" when dashing away from predators to warn others nearby. Tadpoles are slightly toxic if consumed. |
Distribution Status: Common
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Mink Frog
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Identifying characteristics:
The color of this frog varies from green to brown, often
having both colors, with green more prominent on the head.
There is dark spotting or blotching present throughout the
back and legs, but the belly is cream or yellow. Often
mistaken for Green Frogs, the Mink Frog has less pronounced
dorsolateral ridges (if at all), no banding on the
legs, and more developed hind foot webbing. Releases a foul
smell (of rotting onions) when handled. The skin is moist.
No warts. Size: Average body length of 2-3 inches. Habitat: Aquatic, requiring permanent water such as a lake, pond, bog or marsh. Vegetation, such as water lilies or pickerel weed is preferred. Will traverse land if it is damp enough. Food: Carnivorous. Snails, insects, spiders. Vocalization: A rapid "cut-cut-cut" that almost sounds like the distant hammering of nails into wood. Audio Reproduction: Breeds later than most frogs. Tadpoles may take up to a year to develop into frogs. Other Info.: Nocturnal. They are skittish and difficult to spot. Spend a lot of time floating on water lilies. They hibernate underwater. |
Distribution Status: Common |
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Wood Frog
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Identifying characteristics:
The color varies from shades of brown to olive to grey with
some mottling, to blend in well with forest debris. They
have black stripes on each side of the head that runs from
their nose, through the eye and tympanic membrane stopping
at the shoulder. It looks similar to a robber's mask. Many
also have a white stripe across their upper lip. A
pronounced skin ridge (dorsolateral fold) may run from the
eye to the hind legs. The skin is moist. Size: Average body length of 2 inches. Habitat: Very tolerant of cold temperatures and can withstand freezing. The spend their life in mixed habitats of woodland, forested swamps, bogs and temporary pools. Food: Carnivorous. Snails, insects, spiders. Vocalization: "Quacking". Audio Reproduction: Breeding begins as soon as the snow melts and meltwater produces pools. Reproducing in temporary pools saves the young from hungry fish. Other Info.: They hibernate in the forest under debris and will often freeze solid. |
Distribution Status: Common |
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Northern Leopard Frog |
AKA:
Grass Frog, Meadow Frog, Spotted Frog. Identifying characteristics: This green to brown frog is easily identified by its large dark circular spots. These spots are often surrounded by a thin light line. Many also have a white stripe across their upper lip. They also have lighter-colored dorsolateral ridges (skin folds) that run from the eye to the hind legs. The belly is pale green or cream-colored. Its toes are webbed. The skin is moist and wart-less. Size: Average body length of 3-4 inches. Habitat: Aquatic, requiring permanent bodies of water such as a lake, pond, stream, river or marsh with abundant vegetation. Will often traverse meadows or wooded areas. Food: Carnivorous. Snails, insects, spiders. Vocalization: Low, throaty grunt. Audio, Audio2 Reproduction: Breeding begins in spring and tadpoles metamorphasize by the end of summer. Other Info.: Nocturnal. They will often "yelp" when dashing away from predators to warn others nearby. This is the frog commonly used in classrooms for dissection. |
Distribution Status: Common |
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Pickerel Frog |
Identifying
characteristics: Similar in appearance to the Northern
Leopard Frog, but the dark brown spots on this frog look
like crudely drawn squares rather than circles. The spot are
also uniformly organized into 2 rows running in-between the
2 dorsolateral ridges (skin folds). The undersides of the
Pickerel are generally yellow to orange. The body color is
usually tan or olive. The skin is moist and wart-less. Size: Average body length of 2.5 inches. Habitat: Aquatic, cool, running streams and springs. Though sometimes found in other wetland habitats. Food: Carnivorous. Snails, insects, spiders. Vocalization: Low snore-like croak. Audio Reproduction: Breeding begins in early spring and females lay eggs in ponds or pools. Tadpoles metamorphasize over a 3 month period. Other Info.: Nocturnal. Hibernate in the silt or mud at the bottom of ponds. Secretes a toxic chemical which may kill other frogs and small animals and irritate the skin of humans. |
Distribution Common across NY and surrounding states. Status: Common
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