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Georgia is home to a wide variety of frogs from a few different families. The True Frogs are your typical frogs that are generally found along the shores of a lake or pond.
Georgia is home to a diverse range of frog and toad species. With its humid climate and abundance of wetlands, forests, and grasslands, the state provides ideal habitats for 32 different species. In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the frogs and toads that call Georgia home.
Overview of Frogs and Toads in Georgia
The 32 frog and toad species found in Georgia belong to 6 families – Bufonidae (true toads), Hylidae (tree frogs), Microhylidae (narrow-mouthed toads), Pelobatidae (spadefoot toads), Ranidae (true frogs), and Leptodactylidae (tropical frogs).
Some of the more common species include the Green Treefrog American Bullfrog, Southern Leopard Frog Spring Peeper, and American Toad. Georgia also has a few rarer species like the Gopher Frog and Brimley’s Chorus Frog which have very specific habitat requirements.
Most species are active from spring through fall, going dormant in the winter. However some may remain active year-round if conditions allow. Migratory patterns are seen in a few species like the Wood Frog.
While the Poison Dart Frog family (Dendrobatidae) is absent, Pickerel Frogs have some mild toxicity that helps deter predators. No toads in Georgia are poisonous.
Breakdown of Frogs and Toads by Family
Tree Frogs (Hylidae)
This family makes up the largest group of frogs in Georgia. Notable species include:
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Green Treefrog – Most abundant and widespread tree frog in the state. Known for its aggressive territorial croaks.
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Cope’s Gray Treefrog – Identified by its rapid trilling call. Often found in woodlands and yards.
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Squirrel Treefrog – Named for its squirrel-like call. Habitats include lowland swamps and flooded woodlands.
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Pine Woods Treefrog – Also called the Morse Code frog due to its beeping call. Lives in coastal pine forests.
True Frogs (Ranidae)
Some of Georgia’s largest frog species belong to this family:
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American Bullfrog – The largest frog in Georgia, reaching 6 inches. Has an iconic deep croak.
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Green Frog – Often found near permanent water. Makes a cow-like grunting call.
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Pickerel Frog – One of the few mildly toxic frogs. Found in marshes and ponds.
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Southern Leopard Frog – A common species known for its snoring-like call.
True Toads (Bufonidae)
Toads are stockier and drier-skinned than frogs. Common Georgia species include:
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American Toad – Widespread and often spotted around homes and yards.
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Southern Toad – Very similar to the American Toad. Makes a short trill.
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Fowler’s Toad – Grows larger than other toads, up to 3.7 inches. Has a long drawn-out call.
Narrow-mouthed Toads (Microhylidae)
This small family is represented by one Georgia species:
- Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad – A petite toad of swamps and wet forests. Has a high-pitched call.
Tropical Frogs (Leptodactylidae)
- Greenhouse Frog – An introduced species from Cuba now found in Georgia. One of the state’s smallest frogs.
Ideal Frog and Toad Habitats in Georgia
Georgia’s frogs and toads rely on aquatic habitats for breeding and larvae development. Babies hatch into tadpoles and live in the water until transforming into froglets. Different species gravitate towards certain habitat types:
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Woodland ponds and puddles – Ideal for Wood Frogs, Spring Peepers, and other forest-dwellers. Offer shade and leaf litter.
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Marshes and wetlands – Preferred by Leopard Frogs, Cricket Frogs, and other species that utilize tall grasses.
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Lakes, rivers, and streams – Larger permanent waters inhabited by Bullfrogs, Green Frogs, and Carpenter Frogs.
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Coastal wetlands – Unique habitat for Pine Woods Treefrogs and other coastal plain species.
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Man-made ponds – Readily colonized by adaptable species like Green Treefrogs and American Toads.
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Vernal pools – Small temporary woodland pools crucial for Spotted Salamanders and other early breeders.
Threats Facing Georgia’s Frogs and Toads
While most species remain widespread, habitat loss is impacting some frogs and toads in Georgia:
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Development eliminates wetlands and creates fragmented habitats.
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Invasive species like Cuban Treefrogs compete with natives.
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Pollution and chemical contamination of waters can interfere with development and survival.
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Disease outbreaks such as chytrid fungus have caused isolated die-offs.
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Climate change and droughts put pressure on delicate aquatic habitats.
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Road mortalities affect migrating amphibians.
Protecting existing wetlands and reducing pollutants are important conservation steps. Careful development, sustainable land use practices, and public education also help Georgia’s frogs thrive.
Georgia’s frogs and toads showcase an incredible diversity shaped by the state’s habitats. Learning their calls is a great way to identify species in your own backyard or neighborhood pond. With care and awareness, these unique amphibians can continue thriving in Georgia’s waterways and forests.
Ranidae – True Frogs in Georgia
The True Frogs are your typical frogs that are generally found along the shores of a lake or pond.
Common Name: Green Frog / Bronze FrogScientific Name: Rana clamitansLocation: Throughout the stateBreeding Season: Spring to summer
The Green Frog is a medium to large sized frog. They can be commonly found near pretty much any water body such as ponds, lakes, or streams. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. Best way to tell them apart from other true frogs below is the dorsal ridge on its back does not go all the way down its back.
Common Name: Pig FrogScientific Name: Rana grylioLocation: Southern halfBreeding Season: Late Spring to August
Common Name: American BullfrogScientific Name: Rana catesbeianaLocation: Throughout stateBreeding Season: Late Spring and Summer
The American Bullfrog is the largest frog in the North America. They are found near permanent bodies of water such as large ponds, streams, and lakes. Once the males of the species reach sexual maturity, their throats turn bright yellow. It looks very similar to the Bronze Frog, but the dorsal ridge wraps around the tympanum while the Bronze Frog’s dorsal ridge is incomplete and does not extend all the way to its rear. The American Bullfrog is also very similar to the Pig Frog, but the Pig Frog has bolder spots / stripes on the back of its thighs while the Bullfrog has light spots.
Common Name: River FrogScientific Name: Rana heckscheriLocation: Southern partBreeding Season: April to early August
River Frog does not have a dorsal ridge which is a key identification characteristic. Its skin is also a lot more rough and wrinkly than another true frogs.
Common Name: Pickerel FrogScientific Name: Rana palustrisLocation: Northern partBreeding Season: Late March to early May
The Pickerel Frog is a medium to large sized frog. Their dorsal ridge runs down from their eye to their back and inside there is rectangular boxes.
Common Name: Southern Leopard FrogScientific Name: Rana spenocephalaLocation: Throughout stateBreeding Season: Winter through spring but possibly breed again in the fall
The Southern Leopard Frog is a medium to large sized frog that is brown or green in color with spots over their body. They have a white spot on their tympanum and their dorsal ridge goes straight all the way down their back.
Common Name: Wood FrogScientific Name: Rana sylvaticaLocation: Around the northern borderBreeding Season: February
The Wood Frog is a small to medium sized frog. They vary in color from brown, silver, or red and they have dark “raccoon” eyes. They are more terrestrial than other frog species.
Common Name: Carpenter FrogScientific Name: Rana virgatipesLocation: Eastern CoastBreeding Season: Late spring to summer
Carpenter Frog is identifiable because of their brown color and two yellow lines that run down their back.
Common Name: Gopher FrogScientific Name: Rana capitoLocation: SoutheasternBreeding Season: Spring
The Gopher Frog is a medium sized frog that is tan, brown, or dark in color with many black or dark brown spots. They have a raised, thick dorsal ridge that runs down most of their back. Their skin is more warty than most frogs.
Hylidae – Tree Frogs in Georgia
There are three main group of tree frogs in Georgia: Cricket Frogs (Acris), Chorus Frogs (Pseudacris), and Tree Frogs (Hyla). Not all the members of the tree frog family lives in the trees. You can find many of them on the ground.
Common Name: Northern Cricket FrogScientific Name: Acris crepitansLocation: Northern halfBreeding Season: Spring through summer
Common Name: Southern Cricket FrogScientific Name: Acris gryllusLocation: Southern halfBreeding Season: Spring through summer
The Cricket Frogs look really similar but there’s a few ways to tell them apart. The Southern Cricket Frog has a more pointed snout while the Northern Cricket Frog has a more blunt snout. The Southern Cricket Frog doesn’t have as much webbing on the back legs as the Northern Cricket Frog.
Common Name: Cope’s Gray Tree FrogScientific Name: Hyla chrysoscelis Location: Throughout the stateBreeding Season: March to August
The Cope’s Gray Tree Frog is a medium sized frogs can be found perched in trees or on the side of your house. They are not always gray in color and can be green. They have yellow or orange coloration on their back legs.
Common Name: Pinewood’s Tree FrogScientific Name: Hyla femoralis Location: Southern half of the stateBreeding Season: April to October
The Pinewoods Frog is a medium sized frog ranging in color from brown, gray, or green. They have orange spots on their inner thighs.
Common Name: Bird-voiced Tree FrogScientific Name: Hyla avivoca Location: Coastal plainsBreeding Season: Spring through summer
The Gray Tree Frogs, Pinewoods Frog, and the Bird-Voiced Frog look very much a like. The difference is the coloration on the inner thigh. The Gray Tree Frogs has brighter orange color on the thigh while the Bird-Voiced Frog is more greenish-yellow. The Pinewoods Frog has dots / spots on the inner thigh.
Common Name: Green Tree FrogScientific Name: Hyla cinerea Location: Southern halfBreeding Season: March to October
The Green Tree Frog is a medium sized, smooth skinned, green frog with a distinct white stripe down its side. Yellow specks can be found on the backs of some frogs.
Common Name: Barking Tree FrogScientific Name: Hyla gratiosaLocation: Southern halfBreeding Season: March to August
The Barking Tree Frog is a large, bright green frog with a white line on their lip that goes down their side and coarse skin.
Common Name: Squirrel Tree FrogScientific Name: Hyla squirellusLocation: Southern halfBreeding Season: March to October
The Squirrel Tree Frog is a medium sized, green or brown frog with a white lip and smooth skin. They can be spotted.
Chorus Frog (Pseudacris)
Common Name: Mountain Chorus FrogScientific Name: Pseudacris brachyphonaLocation: Around the North Carolina border in the Georgia MountainsBreeding Season: March to May
Common Name: Spring PeeperScientific Name: Pseudacris cruciferLocation: Throughout the stateBreeding Season: Winter through early spring
Spring Peeper and the Mountain Chorus Frog are similar but the markings on their back can be used to tell them apart. The Spring Peeper has an X on its back while the Mountain Chorus Frog has 2 backwards parenthesizes that look like )(. Sometimes they touch that can kinda look like an x but there’s also a dark triangle between its eyes that the Spring Peeper doesn’t have.
Video of a Spring Peeper calling, thanks to M Dwyer, @MustelidDwyer on twitter
Common Name: Upland Chorus FrogScientific Name: Pseudacrus feriarumLocation: Piedmont and Mountain areas Breeding Season: February to March
Common Name: Southern Chorus FrogScientific Name: Pseudacris nigritaLocation: Coastal PlainsBreeding Season: Winter through spring
The Upland Chorus Frog and the Southern Chorus Frog look extremely alike. The main differences is in their calls and where they are found.
Common Name: Little Grass FrogScientific Name: Pseudacris ocularisLocation: Coastal halfBreeding Season: All year round but peaks in late spring
The Little Grass Frog is the smallest frog in North America. Here is a video of one calling, thanks to Arik Hartmann
Common Name: Ornate Chorus FrogScientific Name: Pseudacris ornataLocation: Southern halfBreeding Season: November to March
The Ornate Chorus Frog and the Little Grass Frog can appear similar in pictures but the Little Grass Frog is really tiny. Its usually about a half an inch big. Also the dark band that runs down the side of the Little Grass Frog is uninterrupted while the Ornate Chorus Frog has breaks.
Common Name: Brimley’s Chorus FrogScientific Name: Pseudacris brimleyiLocation: North coastal regionBreeding Season: December to April
Brimley’s Chorus Frog has a black line thru its eye and down its side.
The True Toads are your typical toad. They usually have a parotid gland behind their eyes that contain a poison called It is not advised to let your dog eat these guys.
Common Name: Oak ToadScientific Name: Anaxyrus quercicusLocation: Southern part of the stateBreeding Season: April to October
The Oak Toad is the most easily identifiable toad out of the group of four. It is the smallest of the true toads and has a light line down its back. The Oak Toad also has orange on the bottom of its feet.
Common Name: American ToadScientific Name: Anaxyrus americanusLocation: Northern halfBreeding Season: January to July
The American Toad is a medium sized toad with rough warty skin that’s primary brown in color but can have some black, gray, or red coloration. Their undersides are speckled. The American Toads’s parotid gland does not touch or connected to it by a spur. The toads can be found pretty much anywhere including urban areas.
Common Name: Fowler’s ToadScientific Name: Anaxyrus fowleriLocation: Everywhere besides the far southern partBreeding Season: Spring to early summer
The Fowler’s Toad is a small to medium sized toad ranging in color from brown, gray, and olive with a clear, white underside and a white stripe down its back. Its parotid gland touches its postorbital ridge.
Common Name: Southern ToadScientific Name: Anaxyrus terrestrisLocation: Southern part of the stateBreeding Season: February to October
To identify the differences, you have to look at the top of the head. The Southern Toad has knobs on the back of its head. The Fowler’s Toad’s parotid gland touches its postorbital ridge around its eye while the American Toads’s parotid gland does not touch or connected to it by a spur. Here’s an easy figure I found to help.
Common Name: Eastern Spadefoot ToadScientific Name: Scaphiopus holbrookiiLocation: Throughout the stateBreeding Season: All year after heavy rains
The Eastern Spadefoot Toad is a small to medium sized toad ranging in color from tan to brown with small warts They have bright yellow eyes with elliptical pupils. They have a dark spade on their hind feet.
Common Name: Eastern Narrow Mouthed ToadScientific Name: Gastrophryne carolinensisLocation: Throughout the stateBreeding Season: February to April
The Eastern Narrow Mouthed Toad is a small, smooth toad that varies in color from gray, brown, black, and tan. They have a pointy head and a fat little body.
Here is a video of their call.
Talking Nature Tuesday – Toads
FAQ
What is the most common toad in Georgia?
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus)
They can be found throughout the northern half of Georgia. Most American toads don’t survive more than a year in the wild, however some have lived to 10 years old.
Are toads good or bad for your yard?
Yes! Toads make great gardening partners. They help reduce the pest population in your garden and are a valuable organic tool in your arsenal of pest control weapons. Did you know they can eat as many as 10000 mosquitoes during the summer season? But mosquitoes aren’t all they eat.
Are there any poisonous frogs in the state of Georgia?
In case of attack, pickerel frogs have an excellent defense mechanism: they emit skin secretions which are irritating to people and toxic to some predators; making the pickerel frog the only poisonous frog native to the United States.
Why am I seeing toads in my yard?
Moisture and Shelter: Toads prefer moist habitats, so if your yard has damp areas, such as a garden, pond, or even mulch, it may attract them. They also look for places to hide, such as under rocks or logs.