Frog Identification Keys - Lithobates formerly Rana (True Frogs)
Start | Acris | Anaxyrus(Bufo) | Gastrophryne | Hyla | Pseudacris | Scaphiopus
- Bullfrog (L. catesbeianus formerly catesbeiana)
- Green Frog (L. clamitans)
- Pickerel Frog (L. palustris)
- Southern Leopard Frog (L. sphenocephalus)
- Wood Frog (L. sylvaticus)
- Carpenter Frog (L. virgatipes)
American Bullfrog (L. catesbeianus formerly catesbeiana)
Our largest frog with a maximum SVL of 203mm. Usually green near the snout and brownish toward the rear, the ventral surfaces are whitish often mottled with a yellowish to grayish wash. To the casual observer the bullfrog and the green frog look very similar, but can easily be identified by the absents or presents of dorsolateral ridges.
The gender of the bullfrog, green frog and carpenter frog can be determined by the size relationship between the tympanum with respect to the eye. In males the tympanum is larger than the eye and in females the tympanum is the same size as the eye or smaller.
Known distribution of L. catesbeianus in Virginia
Northern Green Frog (L. clamitans)
Reaching a maximum SVL of 108 mm. Very similar to the bullfrog (see above). The mouth of the green frog is more pointed that that of the bullfrog.
The gender of the bullfrog, green frog and carpenter frog can be determined by the size relationship between the tympanum with respect to the eye. In males the tympanum is larger than the eye and in females the tympanum is the same size as the eye or smaller.
Known distribution of L. clamitans in Virginia
Pickerel Frog (L. palustris)
Known distribution of L. palustris in Virginia
Southern Leopard Frog (L. sphenocephalus)
The southern leopard frog reached a maximum SVL of 127 mm. For identification characteristics see the pickerel frog section above..
Known distribution of L. sphenocephalus in Virginia
Wood Frog (L. sylvaticus)
The wood frog reaches a maximum SVL of 83mm and easily identified by the dark patch extending through the eye.
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Known distribution of L. sylvaticus in Virginia
Carpenter Frog (L. virgatipes)
The carpenter frog reaches a maximum size of 67 mm. The most defining characteristic of the carpenter frog is the two golden -brown lateral stripes on each side, for a total of four stripes. Dorsolateral ridges are absent.
The gender of the bullfrog, green frog and carpenter frog can be determined by the size relationship between the tympanum with respect to the eye. In males the tympanum is larger than the eye and in females the tympanum is the same size as the eye or smaller.
Known distribution of L.virgatipes in Virginia