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The Frogs and Toads of
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The Frogs and Toads of
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Introduction to the Anura || Anuran Life Cycle || Amphibians Around the World
American Bullfrog
Photo by John White Description: American bullfrogs are the largest native frogs in the U.S. They typically range from 3.5 - 6 inches long. They are green to brown in color and are characterized by a ridge curving from behind the eye around the tympanum (the "ears"). They will eat almost any living creature they can fit into their mouths. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay 1000 - 5000 eggs in a thick surface film. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes 1 - 2 years. The American bullfrog requires 2 - 3 additional years to reach maturity. Habitat: American bullfrogs live in medium to large permanent bodies of water (lakes or ponds) throughout Tennessee. Voice: (WAV or AU file 73K) Described as a deep, bass "VRUU-UUM." (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Green Frog
Photo by William Flaxington Description: Green frogs range in size from 2 - 3.5 inches long. They are green to brown in color, and are characterized by ridges around the tympanum and folds of skin extending down the middle of the back. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay 1000 - 4000 eggs on the water's surface. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes 2 - 3 months. Maturity is reached in 2 years after completion of metamorphosis. Habitat: Green frogs live in semi-permanent to permanent shallow bodies of water (lakes, ponds, streams or ditches) throughout Tennessee. Voice: (WAV or AU file 36K) Similar to the sound of a loose banjo string. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.)
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Wood Frog
Photo by Scott Egan, University of Rhode Island Dept. of Natural Resources
Description: Wood frogs are typically 1.25 - 3 inches long. They are brown to pink in color and are characterized by a dark mask extending from the eye backwards across the tympanum. Wood frogs are found as far north as Alaska. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay large globular masses of up to 3000 eggs and anchor them to submerged vegetation. Wood frogs are communal breeders so many egg masses are often laid at one time. Eggs hatch within 3 weeks. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 2 months, and maturity is reached in 2 - 4 years. Habitat: Wood frogs are found in moist woodlands in eastern to north central Tennessee. Breeding may take place in open water ponds to roadside ditches. Voice: (WAV or AU file 34K) A harsh "quacking" sound. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Southern Leopard Frog
Photo by Denny Cannon Description: Southern leopard frogs are 2.5 - 3 inches long. They are green and brown in color with dark rounded spots on the back, a light line on the lip, and a light spot in the center of the tympanum. They have a long pointed snout. Reproduction & Growth: Females may produce 3000 - 5000 eggs laid in a globular mass and attached to stems of vegetation. Eggs hatch in 7 - 12 days. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 2 -3 months. Habitat: Southern leopard frogs are found in shallow permanent or semi-permanent water from woodland ponds to roadside ditches throughout Tennessee except in the eastern high elevations. These frogs may travel far from water if there is adequate cover. Voice: (WAV or AU file 175K) A series of chuckling notes followed by a grunting sound. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Pickerel Frog
Photo by Allen Sheldon Description: Pickerel frogs are typically 1.75 - 3 inches long. They are brown, copper or green in color and are characterized by distinctive square spots in two rows down the back, and bright yellow to orange splotches on the inner surfaces of the upper thighs and groin. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay eggs underwater in loose globular masses attached to vegetation. Eggs take about 2 weeks to hatch. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 2 - 3 months. Habitat: These frogs are found in moist woods, bogs, grassy fields near streams, and in the twilight zones of caves. They are found throughout the state, but are more rare in the western part of Tennessee. Voice: (WAV or AU file 37K) A low-pitched snore lasting 1 - 2 seconds. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.)
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Gopher Frog
Photo by Bob English, LEAPS Description: Gopher frogs are 2.5 - 3.5 inches long. They are dark gray in color with dark irregular spots on the back, and a mottled belly. They have prominent folds of skin extending down the back. Reproduction & Growth: The dusky gopher frog is an explosive breeder, all of the mature, healthy adults in a population breeding at once. The males usually call to attract females only after heavy rains. Females lay egg masses of up to 7000 eggs and attach them to vegetation. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 3 - 4 months. Habitat: The dusky gopher frog is found in wooded areas where it spends the daylight hours underground in the burrows of other animals. Only two individuals of this species have been found in Tennessee in the central region. Voice: (WAV or AU file 74K) A deep snore lasting 2 seconds. (Recording courtesy of Carl Gerhardt.) |
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Crawfish
Frog
Photo by Bob English, LEAPS Description: Crawfish frogs are typically 2.25 - 3 inches long. They are dark gray in color and are characterized by dark spots outlined with a light border on the back. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay masses of 3000 - 7000 eggs. Eggs are attached to stems of vegetation. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 2 months. Habitat: Northern crawfish frogs are normally found in lowland woods, river floodplains and wetland prairies in western Tennessee. They remain underground in the burrows of other animals (often crawfish burrows) during the day. Voice: (WAV or AU file 66K) A deep snore that sounds like "waaaaater." (Recording courtesy of Carl Gerhardt.)
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Green Treefrog
Photo by John Pickering, www.discoverlife.org Description: Green treefrogs are 1.25 - 2.25 inches long. They are usually bright green in color with a distinct white or yellow stripe from the mouth to the thigh. Occasionally, the back is flecked with yellow. Reproduction & Growth: The eggs are laid in small packets or films at or near the surface and attached to floating vegetation. The eggs are brownish to black with white or cream. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 1 - 2 months. Habitat: These frogs are found in forested areas and swamps in western Tennessee that have abundant vegetation surrounding the shoreline. Voice: (WAV or AU file 57K) A loud nasal "Queenk...Queenk." (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Barking Treefrog
Photo by John White Description: Barking treefrogs are typically 2 - 2.5 inches long. They are green to brown in color with an indistinct white or yellow stripe from the mouth to the thigh. Reproduction & Growth: Females deposit single eggs on the bottom of ponds or pools. A single female may produce as many as 2000 eggs. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 1 - 2 months. Habitat: Barking treefrogs have been found in West Tennessee, the extreme north central part of the state, and near the Sequatchie Valley. They are found in wet woodlands, shallow ponds, and cypress swamps. Voice: (WAV or AU file 59K) A harsh barking "aaark-aaark" or a hollow "oonk." (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.)
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Gray Treefrog
Photo by Scott Egan, University of Rhode Island Dept. of Natural Resources Description: Gray treefrogs are 1.25 - 2 inches long. Their coloration is highly variable but usually gray or green with irregular markings on the back. They are characterized by a white spot under the eye, warty skin, and yellow-orange on the concealed surfaces of the thigh. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay clusters of 10 to 30 eggs that are attached to vegetation near the surface of the water. The eggs hatch in 3 - 6 days. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes from 1 - 2 months and maturity is reached in 2 years. Habitat: They are found in varied habitats with small trees or shrubs. They are rarely found outside of the breeding season as they forage in the canopy. Their distribution in Tennessee is not well known. Voice: (WAV or AU file 110K) A short, slow trill. (recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
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Cope's Gray
Treefrog
Photo by Terry Hibbitts Description: Cope's gray treefrogs are 1.25 - 2 inches long. Their coloration is highly variable but usually gray or green with irregular markings on the back. They are characterized by a white spot under the eye, warty skin, and yellow-orange on the concealed surfaces of the thigh. This species is indistinguishable from the gray treefrog except by call or chromosome analysis. The gray treefrog has 48 chromosomes, while Cope's gray treefrog has 24. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay clusters of 10 - 30 eggs that are attached to vegetation near the surface of the water. Eggs hatch in 3 - 6 days. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 1 - 2 months. Sexual maturity is reached in 2 years. Habitat: They are found in varied habitats with small trees or shrubs throughout Tennessee. Voice: (WAV or AU file 51K) A short, fast trill. (Recording courtesy of Carl Gerhardt.) |
Bird-voiced Treefrog
Photo by Walter W. Knapp Description: Bird-voiced treefrogs are 1 - 1.75 inches long. Their coloration is highly variable but usually gray or green with irregular markings on the back. They are characterized by a white spot under the eye, warty skin, and yellow-green to pale green on the concealed surfaces of the thigh. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay small masses of 6 - 15 eggs in shallow water. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 1 month. Habitat: They are found in western Tennessee, in permanent backwater swamps of creeks and large rivers. Voice: (WAV or AU file 73K) A series of birdlike whistles. (Recording courtesy of Carl Gerhardt.)
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Spring Peeper
Photo by John White Description: Spring peepers are 0.75 - 1.25 inches long. They are brown to gray with a dark "X" on the back. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay from 800 - 1000 eggs singly or in clusters of 2 - 3. Eggs are attached to submerged vegetation and hatch in 2 - 3 days. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes from 3 - 4 months. Sexual maturity is reached within 1 year. Habitat: They are found in wooded or brushy areas near temporary or semi-permanent bodies of water throughout Tennessee. Voice: (WAV or AU file 57K) A high pitched, piping whistle, "peep, peep, peep." (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Southeastern Chorus Frog
Photo by Terry Hibbitts Description: Southeastern chorus frogs are 0.75 - 1.5 inches long. Their coloration varies from pale gray to dark brown. They have a white line on the upper lip, and a dark line extending from the snout through the eye and ending at the groin. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay up to 100 eggs and attach them to vegetation. The eggs hatch within 18 days. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 2 - 3 months. Tadpoles become mature adults within 1 year. Habitat: They are found statewide, in wet meadows, moist hardwood forests, or swampy bottomlands. Voice: (WAV or AU file 60K) A series of rapid clicks. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Mountain Chorus Frog
Photo by Walter W. Knapp Description: Mountain chorus frogs are 1 - 1.25 inches long. They are brown, gray, or olive with a dark triangle between the eyes, a light line on the upper lip, yellow on the concealed surfaces of the hind legs, and two stripes in the form of reverse parenthesis on the back. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay eggs in groups of 10 - 50, laying as many as 400 eggs. Egg masses are attached to vegetation in ditches or pools. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 2 months. Habitat: They are found in the upland woods of hills and mountains of the Cumberland Plateau, Cumberland Mountains, and the extreme northeast and southeast of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Voice: (WAV or AU file 60K) A series of fast, low- pitched clicks, "REEK-raaack." (Recording courtesy of Carl Gerhardt.) |
Northern Cricket
Frog
Photo by Will Cook Description: Northern cricket frogs are 0.5 - 1.5 inches long. Their coloration varies, but they all have a dark triangle between the eyes, the skin is warty, and there is a dark ragged stripe on the thigh. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay clusters of 10 - 15 eggs, laying up to 200 eggs on the water surface and attach them to vegetation. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes from 1 - 2 months. Northern cricket frogs become sexually mature within 1 year. Habitat: They are found statewide, except for the extreme northeast, near permanent bodies of shallow water and slow moving streams where cover is abundant. Voice: (WAV or AU file 57K) A series clicks that begin slowly, speed up, and slow down again. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Southern Cricket Frog
Photo by Walter W. Knapp Description: Southern cricket frogs are 0.5 - 1.25 inches long. Their coloration varies, but they all have a dark triangle between the eyes, the skin is warty, and there is a dark clean-cut stripe on the thigh. The snout is pointed. Reproduction & Growth: Females lay around 150 eggs in shallow ponds with vegetation. More than 1 spawning may occur in a year. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes 2 - 3 months. Habitat: They are found in southwest Tennessee, near semi-permanent bodies of water such as temporary ponds or ditches surrounded by grasses. Voice: (WAV or AU file 80K) A series of clicks that remain constant in tempo. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.)
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American Toad
Photo by Charlie Freeman, TWRA Description: American toads are 2 - 3.5 inches long. Their coloration varies from shades of gray or brown to brick red. They have some spotting on the chest, and only 1 - 2 warts per dark spot. The cranial crests do not lie against the parotoid glands (see Fowler's toad.) Reproduction & Growth: Females lay spiral strands of 4000 - 8000 eggs that normally hatch within 1 week. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 2 months. The toad reaches maturity in 2 - 3 years. Habitat: They are found statewide, from backyard gardens to upland forests. They are active mostly at night. Voice: (WAV or AU file 249K) A long, high pitched trill lasting 6-30 seconds. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Fowler's Toad
Photo by Dennis Desmond Description: Fowler's toads are 2-3 inches long. Their coloration varies from shades of gray or brown to brick red. They do not have any spotting on the chest, and have 3 or more warts per spot. The cranial crests butt up against the parotoid glands.
Reproduction & Growth: Females lay strings of 7000 - 10,000 eggs attached to vegetation in shallow ponds . The tadpoles hatch in 5 - 7 days. They are small and dark, often attach themselves to underwater vegetation and swim in dense groups. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes about 30 - 40 days and maturity is reached by two years of age. Habitat: They are found statewide, from backyard gardens to upland forests. They are active mostly at night. Voice: (WAV or AU file 66K) A nasal "WAAAAAAH" lasting 1 - 4 seconds. (Recording courtesy of Lang Elliott.) |
Eastern Spadefoot
Photo by John White Description: Eastern spadefoots are 1.75 - 3 inches long. They have a spade-like protuberance on each hind foot for digging. Their coloration varies from gray to brown. A lyre shape may be formed by two lines on the back. This is our only frog or toad with vertical pupils.
Photo by Walter W. Knapp Spade Reproduction & Growth: Eastern spadefoots are explosive breeders and heavy summer rains initiate breeding. The eggs are laid in easily broken strands and attached to vegetation. Hatching occurs in 24 - 72 hours in hot weather and may take up to one week in cooler weather. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes less than one month. Habitat: They are found statewide, except in the Blue Ridge Mountains, in forested areas with loose or sandy soil. They spend most of their time underground. Voice: (WAV or AU file 32K) A short, loud "BURR." (Recording courtesy of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.)
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Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad Gastrophryne carolinensis
Photo by Peter May Description: Eastern narrow-mouthed toads are 1 - 1.25 inches long. They are triangular in appearance with a fold of skin just behind the eyes. They may be gray, brown, or reddish in color with dark markings on the back. Reproduction & Growth: Eastern narrow-mouthed toads are explosive breeders and heavy summer rains trigger breeding. Females lay 10 - 150 eggs in masses upon the surface of the water in shallow ponds and pools. Metamorphosis of tadpoles takes 1 - 2 months. Habitat: They are found statewide, except in the Blue Ridge Mountains, usually under rocks and logs or underground in burrows. Voice: (WAV or AU file 45K) Sounds like the bleat of a lamb, lasting 1/4 - 4 seconds. (Recording courtesy of Carl Gerhardt.) |
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Many thanks to Lang Elliott of NatureSound Studio, Carl Gerhardt of the University of Missouri, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for giving us permission to use their recordings of frog and toad songs for this web site. Special thanks to all the photographers who gave permission for use of their beautiful photographs on this web site.
Web page designed by TDEC-DNH and Lisa Powers,
Updated March 22, 2002;
