North Carolina’s Amphibian Friends: Frogs and Toads
North Carolina is home to a stunning array of wildlife, and that includes a diverse population of frogs and toads. In fact, you can find over 25 different species of frogs and toads hopping around the state.
These amphibians are more than just interesting to observe; they’re also vital to our ecosystem. Frogs and toads act as both predator and prey, playing a crucial role in the food web. They’re also like living barometers, providing valuable insights into the health of our environment because they’re so sensitive to pollution and habitat destruction.
So, if you’re interested in learning more about the frogs and toads of North Carolina, you’ve come to the right place! This article serves as a comprehensive guide to these fascinating creatures. We’ll cover everything from key identification markers and preferred habitats to breeding seasons and other fun facts about each species. Get ready to dive into the world of North Carolina’s frogs and toads!
What’s the difference between frogs and toads?
People often use the words “frog” and “toad” to mean the same thing. But there are some important differences.
- Physical characteristics: Frogs usually have smooth, moist skin and long legs that help them jump. Toads tend to have drier, bumpier skin and shorter legs, so they’re not as good at jumping.
- Habitat: Frogs like to live in or near water. Toads can usually be found in drier environments.
- Defense Mechanisms: North Carolina toads, especially those in the Bufonidae family, can secrete toxins from their skin. So you should always wash your hands after handling them.
With those differences in mind, let’s take a look at some of the frogs and toads you might find in North Carolina.
Ranidae: The True Frogs of North Carolina
The Ranidae family, or true frogs, are a large and diverse group of frogs found all over the world, including right here in North Carolina.
True frogs tend to have smooth skin, long legs, and powerful jumping skills.
Here are some of the more commonly seen or heard members of this family that call North Carolina home.
- American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus): The bullfrog is the largest frog in North America, sometimes growing to 8 inches in length and weighing in at a pound and a half. You’ll likely hear its deep, resonant call near bodies of water.
- Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans): Green frogs are another common sight near ponds and streams. While they can make six different calls, they’re best known for the throaty “boink” they often make.
- Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris): You can identify a pickerel frog by the rectangular spots on its back. A female pickerel frog will lay somewhere between 700 and 2,900 eggs.
- River Frog (Rana heckscheri): River frogs have a greenish-black back and a dark belly dotted with light spots.
- Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates sphenocephala): As their name would suggest, these frogs have leopard-like spots, usually arranged in two or three rows of oval dots.
- Carpenter Frog (Lithobates virgatipes): These frogs have a long tadpole stage, remaining tadpoles for close to a year.
- Carolina Gopher Frog (Lithobates capito): Female Carolina gopher frogs lay massive egg masses, sometimes as large as 7,000 eggs.
- Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus): Wood frogs are amazing creatures. They can tolerate having up to 65% of their bodies frozen!
Hylidae: The Tree Frogs of North Carolina
The Hylidae family, more commonly known as tree frogs, is well-represented in North Carolina. As their name suggests, these frogs are adapted for life in the trees. They have specialized toe pads that help them climb, even on smooth surfaces.
Generally, tree frogs are small and brightly colored. Their calls are often quite distinctive, and can be a good way to identify them.
Notable Species in North Carolina
Here are some of the tree frog species you might encounter in North Carolina:
- Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea): These bright green frogs have a very recognizable call. The females lay around 400 eggs.
- Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor and Hyla chrysoscelis): Actually two very similar species (Cope’s Gray Treefrog and the Gray Treefrog) that are difficult to tell apart just by looking. Cope’s Gray Treefrogs breed from March to July. Females lay a lot of eggs: 1,000 to 2,000, in clusters of 10 to 40.
- Pine Barrens Treefrog (Hyla andersonii): You can hear their breeding calls from April to September.
- Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirella): Mating season is from April to August. These frogs have a call that sounds like a hoarse quack, similar to a mallard duck.
- Pine Woods Treefrog (Hyla femoralis): These are relatively small tree frogs, reaching about 1.5 inches in length.
- Barking Treefrog (Hyla gratiosa): The Barking Treefrog is one of the larger tree frogs, growing up to 3 inches long.
Keep an eye (and an ear!) out for these fascinating amphibians when you’re exploring the forests and wetlands of North Carolina.
Chorus Frogs and Cricket Frogs
North Carolina is home to a wide variety of chorus frogs and cricket frogs. Here’s a quick look at the defining characteristics of each species.
Chorus Frogs (Genus Pseudacris)
Chorus frogs are generally small in size and are known for their distinctive chorus-like calls, which are especially noticeable during breeding season. Here are some of the chorus frogs that live in North Carolina:
- Southern Chorus Frog (Pseudacris nigrita nigrita): This small frog grows to about 1.25 inches long. The female lays clusters of about 15 eggs.
- Brimley’s Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brimleyi): At just an inch long, this is one of the tiniest frogs in the state.
- Ornate chorus frog (Pseudacris ornata): This chorus frog grows to about 1.5 inches long, and the females lay up to 1,000 eggs.
- Mountain Chorus Frog (Pseudacris brachyphona): The mountain chorus frog wasn’t identified until 2001.
- Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer): The spring peeper is a bit larger than some of the other chorus frogs, growing to between 3/4 and 1-1/4 inches long.
- Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris feriarum): The upland chorus frog is secretive and rarely seen except after a rain.
- Little Grass Frog (Pseudacris (Limnaoedus) ocularis): Typically, the little grass frog is about half an inch long.
Cricket Frogs (Genus Acris)
Cricket frogs are also small, but they’re warty and are known for calls that sound like crickets. Here are the cricket frogs you’ll find in North Carolina:
- Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans): The northern cricket frog has powerful legs that allow it to jump five to six feet.
- Southern Cricket Frog (Acris gryllus): Like its northern cousin, the southern cricket frog can jump five to six feet.
Toads of North Carolina
The Bufonidae family, often called “true toads,” includes many toad species from around the world, including several species that live in North Carolina.
Toads are generally identified by their dry, warty skin and shorter legs. Here are some of the toads you might spot in North Carolina:
- American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus): American toads can live as long as 10 years in the wild. In captivity, they’ve been known to live more than three times as long as that!
- Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri): The call of the Fowler’s toad sounds something like “W-A-A-A-H-H-H.” The females are fertile, and can release between 7,000 and 10,000 fertilized eggs.
- Southern Toad (Anaxyrus terrestris): The southern toad is about 3 inches in length.
- Oak Toad (Anaxyrus quercicus): At just 1.75 inches in length, the oak toad is the smallest toad in North America.
Other Toad Species (That Aren’t Really Toads)
For the sake of completeness, I’m including two other species that are often called toads but aren’t actually members of the Bufonidae family.
- Eastern Spadefoot (Scaphiopus holbrookii): Eastern spadefoots vary in color, but are usually light brown or yellowish-brown with dark brown mottling. Males sometimes have light yellow stripes.
- Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis): These “toads” are only about an inch long, with females being slightly larger than males.
So, there you have it! A quick rundown of the toads you might see hopping around North Carolina.
Conclusion
From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina is home to an impressive array of frogs and toads. Each species plays a vital role in the state’s diverse ecosystem, helping to control insect populations, serving as food for larger animals, and contributing to the overall health of the environment.
Sadly, these fascinating creatures are facing a number of serious threats. Habitat loss due to development, pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial waste, and the effects of climate change are all taking a toll on amphibian populations worldwide, including those in North Carolina.
But there’s still hope. By supporting conservation organizations dedicated to protecting amphibian habitats, participating in citizen science initiatives to monitor frog and toad populations, and reducing our individual impact on the environment, we can all help to ensure that these incredible animals continue to thrive in North Carolina.
Whether you’re an avid naturalist or simply curious about the world around you, I hope this exploration of North Carolina’s frogs and toads has inspired you to learn more about these often-overlooked creatures and to share your newfound knowledge with others. The more we understand and appreciate the importance of amphibians, the better equipped we’ll be to protect them for generations to come.