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Scientific Names of USA Frogs

Frogs can be found in various habitats worldwide, but plenty of unique and fascinating species call the United States their home. Many amphibian enthusiasts have traveled to numerous regions in the United States to get a closer look at some of the most alluring and stunning frog species. 

Approximately 300 frog species live in various locations throughout the United States, including aquatic, arboreal, and terrestrial frogs. Some frog species are more invasive or abundant than others, and the most common frog species belong to the Hylidae and Ranidae families.

Frogs are abundant in the United States, with many being popular and some being incredibly poisonous. While approximately 300 frog species live in the United States to date, the following frog species are the most well-known:

Frog SpeciesScientific NameFamilyUSA Locations
Blanchardā€™s Cricket FrogAcris blanchardiHylidaeNorth East
Boreal Chorus FrogPseudacris maculataHylidaeCentral
Gray Tree FrogDryophytes versicolorHylidaeNorth East
South
Green FrogLithobates clamitansRanidaeNorth East
Mink FrogLithobates septentrionalisRanidaeNorth East
Northern Leopard FrogLithobates pipiensRanidaeNorth East
Spring PeeperPseudacris cruciferHylidaeNorth East
South
Pickerel FrogLithobates palustrisRanidaeNorth East
Western Chorus FrogPseudacris triseriataHylidaeNorth East
Wood FrogLithobates sylvaticusRanidaeNorth East
American BullfrogLithobates catesbeianusRanidaeNorth East
South
West
Bird-Voiced TreefrogDryophytes avivocaHylidaeSouth
Carpenter FrogLithobates virgatipesRanidaeSouth East
Cope’s Gray TreefrogDryophytes chrysoscelisHylidaeSouth East
Cuban TreefrogOsteopilus septentrionalisHylidaeSouth East
Hawaii
Florida Bog FrogLithobates okaloosaeRanidaeFlorida
Gopher FrogLithobates capitoRanidaeSouth

1. Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi)

Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs grow to approximately 0.6 inches, and they typically live near ponds, wetlands, or crop agriculture. They have warty skin that is usually tan, brown, olive green, or gray, topped with colored banding on the legs. 

2. Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata)

Boreal Chorus Frogs are native to Canada but occur in numerous regions throughout the United States. They are small frogs with brown or green skin, and they usually have three broken dorsal stripes and a dark band across the body. 

3. Gray Tree Frog (Dryophytes versicolor)

Otherwise known as the Tetraploid Gray Treefrog, this species uses camouflage to survive in the wild. They can change from nearly black to almost white and have dark bandish patterns on the legs. 

4. Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)

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Green Frogs comprise two subspecies, namely the Bronze Frog and the Northern Green Frog. They usually have brown, dark green, or gray bodies and white bellies with black mottling. These frogs grow to approximately 2 – 3.9 inches in length.

5. Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis)

Mink Frogs reportedly smell like mink, hence the name. They grow to around 1.9 – 3 inches in length and usually have green and blotched dorsum with cream, yellow, or white bellies. 

6. Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)

Northern Leopard Frogs are fairly large, growing to around 4.3 inches. They vary in colors ranging from green to brown and have spots that resemble leopard print patterns across their bodies (CTNF).

7. Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

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Spring Peepers are small and get their name from their spring chirping calls. They are brown, olive green, gray, or tan with a dark X-like cross on their dorsal surfaces (the Latin name crucifer translates to cross-bearer). 

8. Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)

Pickerel Frogs are medium-sized with tan or gray skin, marked by numerous irregular rectangular patterns. They also have an orange or yellow pattern around the hind legs’ inner surface. 

9. Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)

Western Chorus Frogs have smooth and gray, green, olive, brown, or reddish-colored skin topped with three dark dorsal stripes. They also have various flecked patterns or dark stripes and small round toes. 

10. Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)

Wood Frogs grow to around 2 – 2.8 inches and have brown, tan, or rust-colored skin. They usually have dark eye masks and pale underparts, and they can change their color for survival. 

11. American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)

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American Bullfrogs have olive-green base colors grey with mottling or banding patterns. They are abundant and largest frogs in the USA, and can grow up to 8 inches. 

12. Bird-Voiced Treefrog (Dryophytes avivoca)

Bird-Voiced Treefrogs grow to around 2 inches and live in forests, wetlands, or swamps. They are brown or pale gray, but their colors can change depending on the environment. 

13. Carpenter Frog (Lithobates virgatipes)

Carpenter Frogs have brown skin and two yellow stripes down the sides of their backs. Their carpenter-hammering call distinguishes them from similar frog species. 

14. Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Dryophytes chrysoscelis)

Cope’s Gray Treefrogs are very similar to Gray Treefrogs and share many of the same traits. However, Cope’s Gray Treefrogs are smaller, have a slightly higher-pitched mating call, and can often tolerate drier conditions.

15. Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)

Cuban Treefrogs vary in size, growing from 2 – 5.5 inches, and are the largest tree frogs in North America. They are gray, green, or brown with mottled and warty skin.

16. Florida Bog Frog (Lithobates okaloosae)

Florida Bog Frogs measure between 1.3 – 1.9 inches and have no spots on their dorsal surfaces compared to the rest of the genus. These frogs are light green, and males have yellow throats. 

17. Gopher Frog (Lithobates capito)

Gopher Frogs comprise two subspecies, namely the Carolina Gopher Frog and the Florida Gopher Frog. They predominantly live in sandhill communities or flatwoods near ponds, and they have unique dark reddish patterns across their bodies. 

More About Frogs in the USA

The United States is home to hundreds of unique and interesting frog species with special abilities and traits. While some frog species are struggling to survive in various conditions, many species are happy and comfortable living within the vast selection of habitats that the United States has to offer. 

Learn more about frogs in the USA on our blog:

Daniella Master Herpetologist

Daniella is a Master Herpetologist and the founder of toadsnfrogs.com, a website dedicated to educating the general population on frogs by meeting them where they are in their online Google Search. Daniella is passionate about frogs and put her digital marketing skills and teaching experience to good use by creating these helpful resources to encourage better education, understanding, and care for frogs.