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 Species | Scientific Name | Family | USA Locations |
Blanchardās Cricket Frog | Acris blanchardi | Hylidae | North East |
Boreal Chorus Frog | Pseudacris maculata | Hylidae | Central |
Gray Tree Frog | Dryophytes versicolor | Hylidae | North East South |
Green Frog | Lithobates clamitans | Ranidae | North East |
Mink Frog | Lithobates septentrionalis | Ranidae | North East |
Northern Leopard Frog | Lithobates pipiens | Ranidae | North East |
Spring Peeper | Pseudacris crucifer | Hylidae | North East South |
Pickerel Frog | Lithobates palustris | Ranidae | North East |
Western Chorus Frog | Pseudacris triseriata | Hylidae | North East |
Wood Frog | Lithobates sylvaticus | Ranidae | North East |
American Bullfrog | Lithobates catesbeianus | Ranidae | North East South West |
Bird-Voiced Treefrog | Dryophytes avivoca | Hylidae | South |
Carpenter Frog | Lithobates virgatipes | Ranidae | South East |
Cope’s Gray Treefrog | Dryophytes chrysoscelis | Hylidae | South East |
Cuban Treefrog | Osteopilus septentrionalis | Hylidae | South East Hawaii |
Florida Bog Frog | Lithobates okaloosae | Ranidae | Florida |
Gopher Frog | Lithobates capito | Ranidae | South |
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)
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)
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:
- Where Can You Find Frogs in the USA?
- What Toads Can You Find Toads in the USA?
- 12 Types of Frogs You Can Find in Michigan
- 10 Types of Frogs You Can Find in Florida
- 11 Types of Frogs You Can Find in Wisconsin
- 8 Types of Frogs You Can Find in Maine
- 10 Frogs You Can Find In Georgia
- 10 Tips to Find Aquatic Frogs
- 8 Tips to Find Tree Frogs
- 4 Easy Ways to Find Toads
- Frog Identification Chart: What Frogs Can You Find in The USA