Frogs in My Backyard

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

Texas – A Wonder World of Frogs • Texas has 42 different species of frogs and toads • Many counties in Texas may have more than 20 species • However, many of the sounds you hear at night are made by a handful of the most common frogs and toads. • Pick your region and start learning to recognize 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 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” species you can expect!

North East West Central Coastal South Click on your region…

Common North Texas Species

Woodhouse’s Toad Anaxyrus (Bufo) woodhousii/velatus/fowleri complex • 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”

Cricket Frog Acris crepitans • Small frog—about 1 inch in length • Colors can vary; small warts on skin • Found near permanent water • Breeds in spring and summer • Call sounds like marbles clicking together

Spotted Chorus Frog Pseudacris clarkii • Small frog—about 1 inch in length • 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 Frogs 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. Lithobates (Rana) berlandieri Rio Grande Leopard Frog Plains Leopard Frog Southern Leopard Frog Lithobates (Rana) blairi Lithobates (Rana) sphenocephalus

Bullfrog Lithobates (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 Species

Spring Peeper Pseudacris 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 Treefrog Hyla 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) Frog Lithobates (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 • Breeds in spring and summer • Call sounds like plucking of banjo string

Southern Leopard Frog Lithobates (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 Texas Species

Gulf Coast Toad Ollotis nebulifer (Bufo valliceps) • Body length: 2-4 inches long • 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 Treefrog Hyla 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 Toad Gastrophryne 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 Frog Lithobates (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 South Texas Species

Texas Toad Anaxyrus (Bufo) speciosus • Body length: 2-3¼ inches long • Numerous warts; no prominent color markings • Found in a grasslands and woodlands with sandy soil • Breeds spring and summer • Call is a repeated series of short, strong trills; sounds like a rivet-gun

Couch’s Spadefoot Toad Scaphiopus 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 Toad Gastrophryne olivacea • Small frog—about 1 inch • Oval shaped; smooth, grayish skin • Usually found in recently-flooded wetlands; hides in burrows • Breeds late spring to summer, following rains • Call is a long, angry, insect-like buzz

Rio Grande Leopard Frog Lithobates (Rana) berlandieri • Body length: 2-4 inches long • Spotted on back; fold of skin down side of back is interrupted at the groin • Found in permanent water bodies • Breeds year-round • Variable call is predominated by a low “growl”

Common Central Texas Species

Cliff Chirping Frog Eleutherodactylus (=Syrrhophus) marnockii • Small frog—about 1 inch • 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 Toad Gastrophryne olivacea • Small frog—about 1 inch • Oval shaped; smooth, grayish skin • Usually found in recently-flooded wetlands; hides in burrows • Breeds late spring to summer, following rains • Call is a long, loud, insect-like buzz

Rio Grande Leopard Frog Lithobates (Rana) berlandieri • Body length: 2-4 inches long • Spotted on back; fold of skin down side of back is interrupted at the groin • Found in permanent water bodies • Breeds year-round • Variable call is predominated by a low “growl”

Common West Texas Species

Red Spotted Toad • 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 Anaxyrus (Bufo) punctatus

Great Plains Toad Anaxyrus (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 Frog Pseudacris clarkii • Small frog—about 1 inch in length • 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 Toad Spea 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 Frogs 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.” Lithobates (Rana) berlandieri Plains Leopard Frog Lithobates (Rana) blairi Rio Grande Leopard Frog

References: • http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/ • http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/amphibians/

Frogs in My Backyard