frogs in my backyard

Frogs in My Frogs in My BackyardBackyard- A Quick Reference Guide to the - A Quick Reference Guide to the Most Common Frogs and Toads in Most Common Frogs and Toads in Different Parts of TexasDifferent Parts of Texas

Texas – A Wonder World Texas – A Wonder World of Frogsof Frogs Texas has 42 different species of frogs and Texas has 42 different species of frogs and

toadstoads Many counties in Texas may have more than 20 Many counties in Texas may have more than 20

speciesspecies However, many of the sounds you hear at night However, many of the sounds you hear at night

are made by a handful of the most common are made by a handful of the most common frogs and toads.frogs and toads.

Pick your region and start learning to recognize Pick your region and start learning to recognize the night songs in your backyard!the night songs in your backyard!

P.S. If you’re lucky to live in some very special and unique habitats, such as the mountains of P.S. If you’re lucky to live in some very special and unique habitats, such as the mountains of West Texas or the subtropics of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, then you’ll have some other West Texas or the subtropics of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, then you’ll have some other unique species that are common in your area. Check out a field guide to see what “special” unique species that are common in your area. Check out a field guide to see what “special” species you can expect!species you can expect!

West

North

Central Coasta

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South

East

Click on your region…Click on your region…

Common North Texas Common North Texas SpeciesSpecies

•2-5 inches in length

•Light stripe down back; elongate paratoid glands; warty skin

•Prefers sandy soils; uses many wetland types

•Breeds in spring and summer

•Call sounds like a sheep or “waaaah”

Woodhouse’s ToadWoodhouse’s ToadAnaxyrus (Bufo) woodhousii/velatus/fowleri complexAnaxyrus (Bufo) woodhousii/velatus/fowleri complex

Cricket FrogCricket FrogAcris crepitansAcris crepitans

•Small frog—about 1 inch in length

•Colors can vary; small warts on skin

•Found near permanent water


•Call sounds like marbles clicking together

Spotted Chorus FrogSpotted Chorus FrogPseudacris clarkiiPseudacris clarkii


•Usually a pattern of greenish spots

•Found in small wetlands in grasslands

•Can breed all year, but peak in spring

•Call sounds like running your fingers along the teeth of a comb

Leopard FrogsLeopard Frogs

Lithobates (Rana) berlandieriLithobates (Rana) berlandieri

Rio Grande Leopard FrogLithobates (Rana) sphenocephalus

Southern Leopard FrogLithobates (Rana) blairi

Plains Leopard Frog

Texas has three species of leopard frogs. All are spotted, with a dorso-lateral fold. All are found in permanent water bodies and may breed year-round. The calls are variable, with many different sounds, squeaks, and grunts.

BullfrogBullfrogLithobates (Rana) catesbeianusLithobates (Rana) catesbeianus

•Largest frog—4-6 inch body length

•Greenish-gray above; white below; prominent eardrum (tympanum)

•Found in large water bodies

•Breeds in spring, summer, fall

•Deep call sounds like blowing across the top of a bottle

Common East Texas Common East Texas SpeciesSpecies

Spring PeeperSpring PeeperPseudacris cruciferPseudacris crucifer

•Small frog—1-2 inches long

•“X”-pattern on back; toe pads

•Found near small ponds in wooded areas

•Breeds in winter

•Call sounds like high-pitched whistle; groups calling sound like sleigh bells

Green TreefrogGreen TreefrogHyla cinereaHyla cinerea

•1¼-2¼ inches long

•Bright green with distinct white line on side

•Found in moist wetland habitats—marshes, swamps, riparian areas

•Breeds primarily in spring and summer

•Call sounds like quacking of ducks or honking of geese

Bronze (Green) FrogBronze (Green) FrogLithobates (Rana) clamitansLithobates (Rana) clamitans

•Body length: 2-3 inches long

•Green to metallic bronze; fold of skin around eardrum

•Found in permanently wet habitats—streams, swamps, ponds


•Call sounds like plucking of banjo string

Southern Leopard FrogSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates (Rana) sphenocephalus

•Body length: 2-3½ inches long

•Spotted on back, with fold of skin down side of back

•Found in permanent water bodies

•Breeds year-round

•Variable call with grunts, squeaks and chucks—sounds like “Woody Woodpecker”

Common Coastal Common Coastal Texas SpeciesTexas Species

Gulf Coast ToadGulf Coast ToadOllotis nebulifer (Bufo valliceps)Ollotis nebulifer (Bufo valliceps)


•Prominent stripe on back and crests on head

•Found in a variety of habitats—urban and rural; permanent and temporary wetlands

•Breeds spring and summer

•Call is a long, low, rattling trill

Green TreefrogGreen TreefrogHyla cinereaHyla cinerea

•1¼-2¼ inches long

•Bright green with distinct white line on side

•Found in moist wetland habitats—marshes, swamps, riparian areas

•Breeds primarily in spring and summer

•Call sounds like quacking of ducks or honking of geese

Eastern Narrowmouth Eastern Narrowmouth ToadToad

Gastrophryne carolinensisGastrophryne carolinensis

•Small frog—about 1 inch

•Oval shaped; dark above, light mottling below

•Usually found in recently-flooded wetlands

•Breeds late spring to summer, following rains

•Call is a loud, long bleat—like an air-horn

Southern Leopard FrogSouthern Leopard FrogLithobates (Rana) sphenocephalus

•Body length: 2-3½ inches long

•Spotted on back, with fold of skin down side of back



•Variable call with grunts, squeaks and chucks—sounds like “Woody Woodpecker”

Common South Texas Common South Texas SpeciesSpecies

Texas ToadTexas ToadAnaxyrus (Bufo) speciosusAnaxyrus (Bufo) speciosus

•Body length: 2-3¼ inches long

•Numerous warts; no prominent color markings

•Found in a grasslands and woodlands with sandy soil


•Call is a repeated series of short, strong trills; sounds like a rivet-gun

Couch’s Spadefoot ToadCouch’s Spadefoot ToadScaphiopus couchiiScaphiopus couchii

•Body length: 2¼-3½ inches long

•Mottled yellowish warty skin; prominent eyes; elliptical pupils

•Uses temporary wetlands in grasslands and savannah

•Breeds spring and summer only after heavy rains

•Call is a short, strained “waaaah”

Great Plains Narrowmouth Great Plains Narrowmouth ToadToad

Gastrophryne olivaceaGastrophryne olivacea


•Oval shaped; smooth, grayish skin

•Usually found in recently-flooded wetlands; hides in burrows


•Call is a long, angry, insect-like buzz

Lithobates (Rana) berlandieriLithobates (Rana) berlandieriRio Grande Leopard FrogRio Grande Leopard Frog


•Spotted on back; fold of skin down side of back is interrupted at the groin



•Variable call is predominated by a low “growl”

Common Central Common Central Texas SpeciesTexas Species

Cliff Chirping FrogCliff Chirping FrogEleutherodactylus (=Syrrhophus) marnockiiEleutherodactylus (=Syrrhophus) marnockii


•Mottled greenish skin; large head; small toe-pads

•Inhabits and breeds in rocky crevices

•Breeds year-round, with peaks in spring

•Frail call of chirps and short trills

Great Plains Narrowmouth Great Plains Narrowmouth ToadToad

Gastrophryne olivaceaGastrophryne olivacea


•Oval shaped; smooth, grayish skin

•Usually found in recently-flooded wetlands; hides in burrows


•Call is a long, loud, insect-like buzz

Lithobates (Rana) berlandieriLithobates (Rana) berlandieriRio Grande Leopard FrogRio Grande Leopard Frog


•Spotted on back; fold of skin down side of back is interrupted at the groin



•Variable call is predominated by a low “growl”

Common West Texas Common West Texas SpeciesSpecies

Red Spotted ToadRed Spotted ToadAnaxyrus (Bufo) punctatusAnaxyrus (Bufo) punctatus

•Body length: 1½-3 inches

•Round paratoid glands; red-spotted warts

•Often found in rocky areas and grasslands near water

•Breeds spring and summer following rain

•Call is a long, high, musical trill

Great Plains ToadGreat Plains ToadAnaxyrus (Bufo) cognatusAnaxyrus (Bufo) cognatus

•Body length: 2-4½ inches

•Dark spots edged in white; warty skin

•Found in a variety of arid habitats with loose soil

•Breeds spring and summer following rain

•Call is a very long, low, rattling trill

Spotted Chorus FrogSpotted Chorus FrogPseudacris clarkiiPseudacris clarkii


•Usually a pattern of greenish spots

•Found in small wetlands in grasslands

•Can breed all year, but peak in spring

•Call sounds like running your fingers along the teeth of a comb

New Mexico Spadefoot New Mexico Spadefoot ToadToad

Spea multiplicataSpea multiplicata

•Body length: 1½-2½ inches long

•Orange or yellowish warts; prominent eyes; elliptical pupils

•Found in sandy soil areas; uses temporary wetlands to breed

•Breeds winter, spring, and summer only after heavy rains

•Call is a short, wooden rattle

Leopard FrogsLeopard Frogs

Lithobates (Rana) berlandieriLithobates (Rana) berlandieri

Rio Grande Leopard Frog

Lithobates (Rana) blairi

Plains Leopard Frog

Texas has three species of leopard frogs, with two found in West Texas. Both are spotted, with a dorso-lateral fold. Both are found in permanent water bodies and may breed year-round. The calls are variable, with many different sounds, squeaks, and grunts; however, the Rio Grande Leopard Frog call is predominated by “growls” or “purrs.”

References:References:

http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/amphibians/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/amphibians/

frogs in my backyard

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different sounds

species of leopard frogs

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common frogs

inches longgreen

inches longspotted

small warts

permanent waterbreeds