10 Types of Frogs You Can Find in Florida

Florida is a hot spot for many different types of amphibians. With so many different frog species in the area, it can get difficult to know what types of frogs you might come across.

There are around 30 different frog species found throughout Florida and 27 of them are native while the rest were introduced. Some types of frogs found in Florida include Carpenter Frogs, Bronze Frogs, Bog Frogs, and Cuban Tree Frogs.

All of Florida’s frog species, native and invasive, can be found in the northern region. Meanwhile, only about half of the state’s native species can be found in the southern region.

If you are trying to identify the types of frogs in your area then you have come to the right spot. Below you will find some of the most common species of frogs that live in Florida today, the type of habitat they prefer, and some other interesting facts to help you identify them!

1. American Bullfrog

American Bullfrogs are large frogs can be found throughout the Northern state of Florida and in many parts of North America. Bullfrogs are generally green to brown depending on their environment, and have dark spots all over their back and legs. 

In Florida, American Bullfrogs tend to breed towards the end of Spring and can continue late into the Fall. American Bullfrogs are ferocious carnivores and primarily feed on snakes, insects, and mice.

2. Barking Treefrog

Barking Treefrogs are relatively small and will grow to be no larger than 3 inches. This species of frog can be a variety of colors but all have bumpy skin. Barking Treefrogs’ toes are only half webbed with sticky toepads for climbing.

Unlike Bullfrogs that lay eggs near the surface of water, Barking Treefrogs lay their eggs at the bottom of the bodies of water. Their diet consists of small insects and invertebrates such as beetles. They can be found all over the state of Florida.

3. Bird-Voiced Treefrog

Bird-voiced Treefrogs are even smaller than the Barking Treefrog. The species does not get any larger than 2 inches. While Bird-voiced Treefrogs come in a variety of colors, they can be identified by the dark lines on their legs.

From April to August, Bird-voiced Treefrogs breed. Females lay their eggs at the bottom of bodies of water in medium-sized clusters. As a smaller frog, this species only eats small insects like ants.

4. Southern Spring Peeper

Spring Peepers are very small light brown to russet-colored frogs with a darker X shape on their back and can be found near small bodies of water throughout Florida. Their name comes from the “peep” sounds males make during mating season to call female frogs.

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Spring Peeper are tiny, loud, and very hard to find! Watch the video above where I provide tips on how to spot Spring Peeper during mating season. If you have a small, fish-free pond or bog surrounded by trees near your home and you hear loud chirps that sound like a mix of ducks and crickets, they are probably Spring Peeper.

5. Bronze Frog

This frog species is aptly named for its bronze color. Broze Frogs are only about 2 to 3 inches in size and are very active at night. They can mostly be found in Northern parts of Florida North of Ocala.

If you are out looking for this frog, search shoreline of bodies of water. Don’t look near a salt water beach (explained why here) favour shallow streams, ponds, marshes, and bayous. Bronze frogs lay their eggs on the surface of the water. It is said that the Bronze Frog’s mating call sounds like plucking loose banjo strings.

6. Carpenter Frog

The Carpenter Frog is about the same size as a Bird-voiced Treefrog, ranging in size from 1.5 to 2.5 inches. This species of frog lays its eggs on vegetation in clusters ranging from 200 to 600 eggs!

The Carpenter Frog is rare in Florida but can be seen in the bogs in the northern part of the street. Identify the Carpenter Frog by the two yellow stripes running down the sides of its back.

7. Cope’s Gray Treefrog

The Cope’s Gray Treefrog grows to be about 1 to 2 inches and can be identified by the white spot under each eye, and by their green-grey back with a pale underbelly. When it is mating season, their color may be more green than gray. Their inner thighs have yellow markings that set them apart. 

Their mating call is short and raspy. Cope’s Gray Treefrog eggs are laid in batches of 20 to 40 on the surface near wetland plants. This frog can be found throughout most of the Florida panhandle in trees near wetlands or marshes.

8. Cuban Treefrog

Like Cane Toads, the Cuban Treefrog is an invasive species in Florida and can be found in both the Northern and Southern regions of the state. This frog feeds on other native frogs and reptile species. Identifying Cuban Treefrogs can be difficult due to the species large range of colors and patterns.

This frog can cause humans to experience symptoms similar to allergies when they are around. Occasionally they can even trigger asthma attacks (CTNF).

Learn more about the invasive Cane Toad here.

9. Florida Bog Frog

The Florida Bog Frog can only be found in two counties of the state, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa. Ranging in size from 1.5 to 1.75 inches, this frog species can be identified by the lack of spots or stripes on its either green or brown back. It is a vulnerable species due to human activity.

10. Gopher Frog

One unique feature of this frog species is that it can breed all year long. Eggs are laid in batches of up to 7,000 eggs near vegetation. Gopher frogs are either tan or gray and are covered in brown or black spots. Larger in size, the Gopher frog grows to be 2.5 to 4.25 inches.

More About Frogs in The USA

I love to go out looking for frogs and if you are in Florida, by all means, make frog searching a part of your trip! Florida is a great place to capture photos of a diverse variety of frogs. 

Learn more about where to find frogs in the USA in our guides below:

• Which Frogs Are Poisonous in Florida
• 10 Frogs You Can Find In Georgia
• Are Cane Toads Still a Problem in Florida?
• Where Can You Find Toads in the USA?
• Where Can You Find Frogs in the USA?
• 10 Tips to Find Aquatic Frogs
• 8 Tips to Find Tree Frogs
• 4 Easy Ways to Find Toads

Common Questions

What Type of Frogs Live in Florida? Some types of frogs found in Florida include Carpenter Frogs, Bronze Frogs, Southern Spring Peeper, Bog Frogs, and Cuban Tree Frogs. There are around 30 different frog species throughout Florida; 27 of them are native while the rest were introduced.

Are There Bad Frogs in Florida? Cane Toads are invasive frogs that were introduced to Florida in the 1930s and have been proliferating and eating the native Florida wildlife. Cane Toads can be found in people’s yards, are toxic to humans and small mammals such as pets.

Sources

Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Frog Watch Florida