A listing of Texas frogs and toads that features options helpful for identification, comparable to bodily traits, typical habitats, calls, habits, and normal distribution.
The state of Texas is residence to a variety of frogs and toads, from widespread species such because the American Bullfrog and Gulf Coast Toad to extra localized species such because the Houston Toad and Cliff Chirping Frog.
On this web page, you’ll discover a information to frequent and fewer frequent Texas frog species, providing you with a helpful overview of the amphibian inhabitants of Texas.
As a result of ranges and appearances can fluctuate, particularly amongst related leopard frogs, treefrogs, and toads, cautious statement of dimension, sample, habitat, and vocalizations is usually necessary for correct identification.
Web page Index
American Bullfrog
- Scientific title: Lithobates catesbeianus
- Household: Ranidae
- Rank: species
The very giant dimension and uncovered spherical eardrum are the perfect clues to the American bullfrog. Adults are cumbersome frogs, normally about 3.5–8 in (9–20 cm) in physique size. They’re inexperienced to olive or brown above, usually with darker mottling, barred hind legs, and a pale stomach that could be gray-mottled.
In contrast to many related frogs, American bullfrogs don’t have raised ridges operating down their backs. As an alternative, the ridge curves across the eardrum behind the attention—a helpful clue for figuring out the species within the subject. Males have a yellow throat and an eardrum bigger than the attention; females have an eardrum about eye-sized.
In Texas, American bullfrogs are most frequently present in everlasting water, together with ponds, lakes, marshes, gradual streams, inventory tanks, and drainage ditches. They generally sit on the water’s edge and leap with a loud splash when approached.
Blanchard’s Cricket Frog
- Scientific title: Acris blanchardi
- Household: Hylidae
- Rank: species
Small and low-bodied, the Blanchard’s cricket frog is normally about 0.6–1.5 in (1.6–3.8 cm) in physique size. It has a slim, pointed snout, lengthy hind legs, tough warty pores and skin, and solely tiny toe pads. Shade is variable, together with grey, brown, tan, or inexperienced, usually with a pale or vibrant stripe down the again and a darkish triangle or bar between the eyes.
In Texas, this cricket frog is usually seen alongside pond edges, marshes, gradual streams, roadside ditches, and different shallow moist locations. It normally sits in open mud or low vegetation and escapes with fast, erratic jumps.
Identification clues for this species embrace its very small dimension, tough pores and skin, darkish leg bars, and dry, clicking name like two pebbles being tapped collectively.
Cliff Chirping Frog
- Scientific title: Eleutherodactylus marnockii
- Household: Eleutherodactylidae
- Rank: species
Mottled grey, tan, or brown and noticeably small, the cliff chirping frog is a compact, flat-bodied frog about 0.7–1.3 in (1.8–3.3 cm) in physique size. It has a broad head, comparatively giant eyes, tough or granular pores and skin, darkish flecking or blotches, banded legs, and small expanded toe suggestions. The toes are principally unwebbed, serving to separate it from many small aquatic frogs.
In Texas, this frog is most frequently encountered within the Hill Nation and Edwards Plateau round limestone cliffs, rocky ravines, caves, ledges, and stone partitions. It hides in cracks and beneath rocks by day and is most noticeable on humid nights or after rain, when its sharp, repeated chirping name comes from crevices.
Cope’s Grey Treefrog
- Scientific title: Dryophytes chrysoscelis
- Household: Hylidae
- Rank: species
This medium-sized treefrog is about 1.25–2 in (3.2–5.1 cm) in physique size. Its shade modifications from grey to inexperienced or brown, normally with darker mottling that resembles bark or lichen. The pores and skin is barely warty, the toe pads are giant and rounded, and the internal thighs are vibrant yellow to orange. A pale spot under every eye and a quick, harsh trill assist determine calling males.
Wooded wetlands, bottomland forests, pine woods, and shaded yards in jap Texas are typical locations to come across the cope’s grey treefrog, particularly at night time or after rain. It usually rests on tree trunks, shrubs, vines, partitions, or window glass, and breeds in short-term swimming pools, ponds, and flooded ditches.
Sofa’s Spadefoot
- Scientific title: Scaphiopus couchii
- Household: Scaphiopodidae
- Rank: species
This stout, toadlike amphibian is about 2–3.5 in (5–9 cm) in physique size, with {smooth} to barely granular pores and skin, giant golden eyes with vertical pupils, and no giant parotoid glands. Shade is tan, grey, olive, or yellowish, usually with darkish mottling or netlike markings.
The spadefoot’s “spade” is a small, shovel-like projection on every hind foot that’s greatest seen at shut vary. It’s used for digging.
In Texas, the sofa’s spadefoot is most frequently encountered in arid and semi-arid grasslands, desert flats, thornscrub, sandy washes, fields, and roadsides with free soil. It stays underground throughout dry climate and emerges at night time after heavy heat rains.
Breeding teams collect in short-term swimming pools, flooded ditches, and playas; males give a loud, nasal, sheep-like bleat.
Jap Slender-Mouthed Toad
- Scientific title: Gastrophryne carolinensis
- Household: Microhylidae
- Rank: species
A really small, squat, oval-bodied frog, the jap narrow-mouthed toad is about 0.75–1.5 in (1.9–3.8 cm) in physique size. It has a pointed snout, tiny head, brief legs, {smooth} pores and skin, and no giant parotoid glands. Shade is grey, brown, tan, or reddish, usually with darker mottling or a faint stripe sample. A fold of pores and skin throughout the again of the top and the slim, pointed face are helpful identification clues.
In Texas, this species happens primarily within the jap a part of the state in moist woods, bottomland forests, pine lands, yards, and gardens. It’s usually discovered beneath logs, leaf litter, boards, or particles. After heat rains, males name from short-term swimming pools and ditches with a excessive, nasal, bleating word.
Grey Treefrog
- Scientific title: Dryophytes versicolor
- Rank: species
Mottled grey, inexperienced, or brown coloring helps the grey treefrog mix with bark and lichen. This small treefrog is about 1.25–2.25 in (3.2–5.7 cm) in physique size, with a broad head, warty pores and skin, and huge rounded toe pads. A pale spot under every eye and vibrant yellow to orange on the hidden internal thighs are helpful clues, although the thigh shade is normally seen solely when the frog jumps.
In Texas, the grey treefrog is more than likely in wooded jap areas, particularly close to ponds, swamps, bottomland forests, and damp yards. It usually rests on tree trunks, shrubs, partitions, or home windows at night time.
This species is extraordinarily much like the cope’s grey treefrog; the male’s slower, musical trill is the perfect subject mark.
Nice Plains Slender-Mouthed Toad / Western Slender-Mouthed Toad
- Scientific title: Gastrophryne olivacea
- Household: Microhylidae
- Rank: species
In Texas, the Nice Plains narrow-mouthed toad is most frequently encountered in grasslands, open scrub, mesquite savanna, fields, and roadside ditches, particularly after heat rains. It spends a lot of its time hidden beneath rocks, logs, particles, or in shallow burrows, then breeds in short-term rain swimming pools.
It is a very small, plump, oval-bodied frog, about 0.75–1.5 in (1.9–3.8 cm) in physique size. It has {smooth} pores and skin, a pointed snout, a tiny head, brief legs, and no giant parotoid glands. Shade is normally olive, grey, tan, or brown with darker mottling and typically a pale mid-back stripe.
The toad’s slim pointed face, flattened physique, and pores and skin fold throughout the again of the top assist determine it. Males could present a darkish throat when calling.
Nice Plains Toad
- Scientific title: Anaxyrus cognatus
- Household: Bufonidae
- Rank: species
Giant darkish blotches with pale borders are probably the most helpful identification clue for the good plains toad.
This stout amphibian is about 2–4.5 in (5–11 cm) in physique size, with dry warty pores and skin coloured grey, tan, olive, or brown. The again blotches normally include a number of warts, and a pale midline could run down the again. It has giant oval parotoid glands behind the eyes and raised cranial crests that type a noticeable bump between the eyes.
In Texas, the good plains toad is most frequently present in open grasslands, prairies, mesquite flats, cropland, and roadside ditches, particularly in central and western elements of the state. It’s generally seen after heavy rains, when it emerges from burrows to breed in short-term swimming pools.
Inexperienced Toad / North American Inexperienced Toad / Chihuahuan Inexperienced Toad
- Scientific title: Anaxyrus debilis
- Household: Bufonidae
- Rank: species
A small, compact toad, the inexperienced toad (often known as the North American Inexperienced Toad / Chihuahuan Inexperienced Toad) is about 1.25–2.1 in (3.2–5.3 cm) in physique size. It has dry, warty pores and skin, a brief rounded snout, comparatively small parotoid glands behind the eyes, and little or no raised cranial crest.
The species’ again is normally pale inexperienced, yellow-green, or olive with scattered darkish spots or blotches, usually edged in black. The stomach is whitish, and the legs could present darkish bars. Calling males usually have a darkish throat.
In Texas, the inexperienced toad is most frequently encountered in arid and semi-arid grasslands, desert scrub, mesquite flats, and sandy open areas, particularly after summer time rains. It breeds in short-term swimming pools, roadside ditches, playas, and flooded low spots. Its small dimension and vibrant inexperienced floor shade assist separate it from most different Texas toads.
Inexperienced Treefrog
- Scientific title: Dryophytes cinereus
- Household: Hylidae
- Rank: species
Vivid inexperienced to yellow-green coloring and a clear pale aspect stripe assist determine the inexperienced treefrog. This smooth-skinned treefrog is about 1.25–2.5 in (3.2–6.4 cm) in physique size, with a slender physique, lengthy legs, giant toe pads, and a whitish stomach. The stripe normally runs from the higher lip alongside the aspect, typically bordered under by darker shade. Small pale or golden flecks could also be current on the again.
In Texas, the inexperienced treefrog is most frequently discovered within the jap and coastal elements of the state round marshes, swamps, ponds, ditches, moist woods, and vegetated yards. It usually sits on reeds, shrubs, home windows, or partitions after rain.
The pale aspect stripe and vibrant inexperienced physique of the inexperienced treefrog separate it from most different Texas treefrogs.
Gulf Coast Toad
- Scientific title: Incilius nebulifer
- Household: Bufonidae
- Rank: species
In Texas, the gulf coast toad is frequent within the coastal plain and far of the jap and southern elements of the state. It’s usually present in yards, gardens, metropolis parks, roadside ditches, moist fields, and round ponds, particularly after rain or close to outside lights at night time.
This medium to giant toad is about 2–4 in (5–10 cm) in physique size. It has dry, warty pores and skin, normally grey, tan, brown, or olive, usually with darker blotches and a pale stripe down the again.
Key identification marks are the sturdy, raised cranial crests on the top and the lengthy parotoid glands behind the eyes. The stomach is pale and normally unmarked or evenly speckled. Breeding males could have a darker throat.
Houston Toad
- Scientific title: Anaxyrus houstonensis
- Household: Bufonidae
- Rank: species
A small grey, tan, or brown toad with darkish blotches and oval parotoid glands behind the eyes is the standard look of the houston toad. Adults are about 2–3.5 in (5–9 cm) in physique size. The pores and skin is dry and warty, the stomach is pale and infrequently evenly noticed, and a skinny pale again stripe could also be current. Breeding males usually have a darker throat.
In Texas, this uncommon toad is related to deep sandy soils in publish oak or pine-oak woodlands, savannas, and close by grass openings. It’s more than likely encountered on wet nights close to short-term or fishless breeding ponds. Identification ought to think about vary and habitat; its clear, excessive, musical trill is usually the perfect clue.
Hurter’s Spadefoot
- Scientific title: Scaphiopus hurterii
- Household: Scaphiopodidae
- Rank: species
A small, squat, round-bodied spadefoot, the hurter’s spadefoot is about 1.5–2.5 in (4–6.5 cm) in physique size. It has comparatively {smooth} grey, tan, or brown pores and skin with darker mottling, a pale stomach, and infrequently two mild strains or a pale hourglass-like mark on the again. The eyes have vertical pupils, and every hind foot bears a tough, black, sickle-shaped “spade” used for digging.
In Texas, this species is most frequently present in areas with free or sandy soil, together with prairies, open woodlands, pastures, and roadside ditches. It spends a lot time underground and is normally encountered on heat wet nights, particularly close to short-term rain swimming pools and flooded fields.
Lack of enormous parotoid glands helps separate it from true toads.
Plains Leopard Frog
- Scientific title: Lithobates blairi
- Household: Ranidae
- Rank: species
A tan, brown, or greenish frog with darkish, pale-edged spots, the plains leopard frog has a slim physique, lengthy hind legs, and a pointed snout. Adults are normally about 2–3.5 in (5–9 cm) in physique size. The stomach is white, and two raised pale dorsolateral folds (raised pores and skin ridges operating alongside both sides of a frog’s again) are usually damaged or shifted inward close to the hips, a helpful identification clue.
In Texas, the plains leopard frog is discovered round ponds, marshes, gradual streams, inventory tanks, moist prairies, ditches, and grassy edges of water, particularly within the northern and western elements of the state. It usually jumps from shore into shallow water when approached.
In contrast with related leopard frogs, its rounded spots, pale jaw stripe, and interrupted rear again folds assist verify identification.
Pink-Noticed Toad
- Scientific title: Anaxyrus punctatus
- Household: Bufonidae
- Rank: species
Rocky desert washes, canyon swimming pools, springs, and rain-filled basins in western and central Texas are typical locations to seek out the red-spotted toad. It’s usually seen on heat, moist nights on rocks, sandy streambeds, or roads close to short-term water.
This small toad is normally about 1.5–3 in (4–7.5 cm) in physique size. It has a flattened physique, pointed snout, and grey, tan, or olive pores and skin marked with small purple or orange warts, usually set in darkish spots. The stomach is pale and normally plain.
Identification clues embrace its comparatively {smooth} pores and skin, small spherical parotoid glands behind the eyes, and lack of outstanding cranial crests. Its vibrant reddish warts and desire for rocky arid habitats assist separate it from many different Texas toads.
Rio Grande Chirping Frog
- Scientific title: Eleutherodactylus campi
- Rank: species
A tiny tan, grey, or brown frog with a pointed snout and a darkish stripe via the attention, the Rio Grande chirping frog is normally about 0.6–1 in (1.5–2.5 cm) in physique size. It usually has a darkish bar between the eyes, irregular again markings, banded legs, a pale stomach, and barely enlarged toe suggestions with little or no webbing.
In Texas, this species is most frequently encountered within the Decrease Rio Grande Valley and different heat, sheltered websites, together with gardens, leaf litter, potted crops, particles, and moist floor round buildings. It’s nocturnal and could also be observed after rain or throughout humid nights.
Its very small dimension, pointed face, dry-looking pores and skin, and sharp insectlike chirp assist separate it from younger true frogs and cricket frogs.
Rio Grande Leopard Frog
- Scientific title: Lithobates berlandieri
- Household: Ranidae
- Rank: species
A medium to giant, slim, long-legged frog, the Rio Grande leopard frog is normally about 2.25–4.5 in (5.7–11.4 cm) in physique size. It’s inexperienced, olive, tan, or brown above, with rounded darkish spots that usually have pale borders. The legs are barred, the stomach is pale, and a light-weight stripe generally runs alongside the higher jaw.
In Texas, it’s most frequently present in or close to water, together with rivers, streams, ponds, inventory tanks, canals, irrigation ditches, and marshy edges, particularly in central, southern, and western elements of the state.
Identification clues embrace its true-frog form, sturdy leaping legs, distinct dorsolateral folds operating down the again, and leopard-like recognizing. It’s usually seen on the water’s edge and rapidly jumps into water when disturbed.
Southern Leopard Frog
- Scientific title: Lithobates sphenocephalus
- Household: Ranidae
- Rank: species
Inexperienced, olive, tan, or brown with darkish, pale-edged spots, the southern leopard frog is a slim, long-legged true frog with a pointed snout. Adults are normally about 2–3.5 in (5–9 cm) in physique size. It has a pale stomach, barred hind legs, a light-weight line alongside the higher jaw, and distinct pale dorsolateral folds operating from behind the eyes down the again.
In Texas, this frog is more than likely in jap and southeastern areas, particularly close to ponds, marshes, swamps, ditches, gradual streams, moist fields, and grassy edges of shallow water. It usually sits on the margin and leaps into water when approached. Its pointed face, {smooth} pores and skin, leopard-like recognizing, and steady again folds assist determine it.
Squirrel Tree Frog
- Scientific title: Dryophytes squirellus
- Rank: species
In Texas, the squirrel treefrog is most frequently encountered in humid jap and southeastern areas, particularly round wooded wetlands, marsh edges, short-term rain swimming pools, gardens, porch lights, and buildings after heat rains. It’s a small climbing frog, normally about 0.9–1.5 in (2.2–3.8 cm) in physique size.
Shade is extremely variable: people could also be inexperienced, grey, tan, brown, or mottled, they usually can change shade. The pores and skin is {smooth}, the toe pads are rounded and sticky, and the stomach is pale. Many have a darkish line via the attention, scattered darkish spots, or a pale stripe alongside the higher jaw.
Identification clues embrace its small dimension, variable shade, treefrog toe pads, and lack of the daring, steady white aspect stripe typical of the inexperienced treefrog.
Strecker’s Refrain Frog
- Scientific title: Pseudacris streckeri
- Household: Hylidae
- Rank: species
A broad darkish stripe via every eye and a chunky, short-legged physique assist determine strecker’s refrain frog. Adults are about 1.25–1.9 in (3.2–4.8 cm) in physique size, pretty giant for a refrain frog. The again is grey, tan, brown, or olive with darker blotches or damaged lengthwise stripes. The stomach is pale, the pores and skin is {smooth} to barely tough, and the toes have solely small pads.
This frog is most frequently present in sandy or loose-soil areas, together with prairies, open woodlands, pastures, fields, and roadside ditches.
Strecker’s refrain frog spends a lot time underground and is most frequently observed after rains, particularly close to short-term swimming pools and flooded low spots. Its stout form, eye stripe, subdued sample, and burrowing habits assist separate it from slimmer refrain frogs.
Texas Toad
- Scientific title: Anaxyrus speciosus
- Household: Bufonidae
- Rank: species
A medium, squat toad with brief legs and dry, warty pores and skin, the texas toad is normally about 2–3.5 in (5–9 cm) in physique size. Its again is grey, tan, brown, or olive, usually with paired darkish blotches that include raised warts. A pale stripe could run down the center of the again, however it may be faint or absent.
Identification clues embrace outstanding raised ridges on the top, oval parotoid glands behind the eyes, and a pale, principally unspotted stomach. It is not uncommon in a lot of Texas in grasslands, open woodland, brushy areas, fields, and sandy or free soils.
This toad is usually encountered at night time after rain, particularly close to short-term swimming pools, roadside ditches, inventory tanks, and different shallow breeding websites.
Woodhouse’s Toad
- Scientific title: Anaxyrus woodhousii
- Household: Bufonidae
- Rank: species
Grey, tan, or olive coloring with darkish, paired blotches and a pale stripe down the again is typical of the woodhouse’s toad. It’s a giant, sturdy toad, normally about 2.5–4 in (6.4–10 cm) in physique size, with dry warty pores and skin, brief legs, and a broad head.
The parotoid glands behind the eyes are lengthy and oval, and raised cranial ridges are seen between and behind the eyes.
In Texas, this toad is usually present in prairies, river bottoms, open woodland, fields, yards, and irrigated areas. It’s generally encountered at night time, particularly after rain, close to ditches, ponds, inventory tanks, and short-term swimming pools. Its giant dimension, pale again stripe, elongate parotoid glands, and blotched sample assist determine it.
Additional Studying
You’ll find out extra about Texas wildlife on the next pages:
You’ll find out extra about amphibians on the next pages:
