Green Frog (Rana clamitans)

DESCRIPTION: A large green, brown, or olive frog, 2 1/2 to 4 inches long. Some have blotchy markings on the back and/or sides. Has a fold of skin from eardrum down each side of back; the similar appearing, but larger, Bullfrog lacks these folds. Undersides are white, sometimes dappled with gray. Throat is yellow in the male, white in the female. Upper lip area is green or yellow.

Photo © Jim Harding

HABITAT: Permanent ponds, lakes, marshes, wooded swamps, banks of streams. Eats insects, smaller frogs, and other small prey.

BREEDING: May-July, in permanent waters. Floating egg masses may hold over 4000 eggs. Tadpoles often take two seasons to transform into frogs.

VOICE: An emphatic "clung," like picking a banjo string. Short and loud.

RANGE AND STATUS: Common statewide.