States Wildlife

Alabama Frogs and Toads: Pictures & ID Guide

Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.

On this page
  1. Which frogs and toads can hurt you
  2. All 34 frogs and toads
  3. Lookalikes
  4. When they are active
  5. If you are bitten or stung
  6. How to report
  7. About this list
  8. Sources

This page lists 34 species. 3 are nonnative.

Which frogs and toads can hurt you

Official sources single out these frogs and toads in Alabama, in their own words:

All 34 frogs and toads

From A to Z. Do not handle them.

American Bullfrog
Photo: Paul Danese · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

American Bullfrog

Lithobates catesbeiana

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Common statewide. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
American Toad
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

American Toad

Anaxyrus americanus

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
2 to 3.5 inches long (NCWRC: up to 4 inches); females are larger than males.
How to recognize it
  • Dark spots on the back hold only a few large warts; the similar Fowler's toad has three or more. Agencies give different counts for the American toad (TWRA: one or two; Ohio DNR: one, two or three; Georgia DNR: usually no more than one), so wart count alone does not settle it; check the head crests too (see lookalikes).
  • A large, kidney- or bean-shaped parotoid gland behind each eye that usually does not touch the bony ridge (cranial crest) above the eye, or touches it only by a short spur.
  • Enlarged warts on the lower leg.
Where in Alabama
Fairly common in northeastern Alabama above Fall Line Hills. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
30 records by month.

Full American Toad guide

Barking Treefrog
Photo: Becky Dill · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

Barking Treefrog

Hyla gratiosa

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Isolated populations are also found in the northern parts of the Gulf States, Tennessee and Kentucky … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Low Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Range: Isolated populations are also found in the northern parts of the Gulf States, Tennessee and Kentucky. Its distribution in Alabama is generally considered statewide or essentially so; with the most contiguous populations distributed across the southeastern quadrant of the state.

Habitat: Barking treefrogs are both climbers and burrowers. (Outdoor Alabama)

No confirmed photo of Bird-voiced Treefrog

Bird-voiced Treefrog

Hyla avivoca

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
They are also found in central and south Alabama, extending as far south as the Florida panhandle. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
No confirmed photo of Bronze Frog/Green Frog

Bronze Frog/Green Frog

Lithobates clamitans ssp

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Common statewide, this highly aquatic and familiar frog is bronze (L.c. clamitans) in southern and green (L.c. melanota) in northern Alabama. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
No confirmed photo of Cope's Gray Treefrog

Cope's Gray Treefrog

Hyla chrysoscelis

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Common statewide. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Habitat: Cope’s gray treefrogs are nocturnal. (Outdoor Alabama)

Crawfish Frog
Photo: Alex · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

Crawfish Frog

Lithobates areolatus

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
Protected: Alabama Reg. 220-2-.92
No confirmed photo of Cricket Frog

Cricket Frog

Acris gryllus ssp

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Acris gryllus is found from the coastal plains of: southeastern Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the Mississippi River and all of Florida … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Range: Acris gryllus is found from the coastal plains of: southeastern Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the Mississippi River and all of Florida. In Alabama, they are found normally below the fall line, occasionally in the Tennessee Valley and Appalachian Plateaus.

Habitat: Found year round in Alabama. (Outdoor Alabama)

Cuban Treefrog
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Cuban Treefrog

Osteopilus septentrionalis

Not stated Nonnative

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Most are 1.5 to 2.5 inches long (not counting legs); adult females can exceed 6 inches. Any Florida treefrog over 3 inches is almost certainly a Cuban treefrog.
How to recognize it
  • Very large toe pads, much larger than native treefrogs'.
  • Large 'bug eyes'.
  • Warty back but no warts on top of the head; skin on the head fused to the skull once the frog is over about 1 inch long.

Full Cuban Treefrog guide

No confirmed photo of Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad

Gastrophryne carolinensis

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Common statewide. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
32 records by month.
What the sources say

Habitat: The Eastern narrow-mouthed toad can utilize a variety of habitats, so long as they provide shelter and loose, moist soil that allows for burrowing. (Outdoor Alabama)

Eastern Spadefoot
Photo: User:Rstanton13 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Eastern Spadefoot

Scaphiopus holbrooki holbrooki

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
In Alabama, S. holbrooki holbrooki is found statewide. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Low Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Habitat: The Eastern spadefoot toad is a burrowing variety of frog that is secretive, emerging from its shallow burrow only at night on heavily overcast days. (Outdoor Alabama)

Fowler's Toad
Photo: Peter Paplanus from St. Louis, Missouri · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fowler's Toad

Anaxyrus fowleri

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Danger to people
“These glands emit a white, toxic fluid which helps them escape predators.” Outdoor Alabama
Size
2 to 3 inches long (Alabama: 2 to 4 inches).
How to recognize it
  • Three or more warts in each of the large dark spots on the back (the American toad has fewer)
  • The ridge behind each eye (cranial crest) touches the parotoid gland, with no gap
  • A pale stripe usually runs down the middle of the back
Where in Alabama
Fowler’s toad is an abundant toad found in the Atlantic Coastal Plain ranging from New England to Michigan, Arkansas, and south to Louisiana … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
99 records by month.
What the sources say

Range: Fowler’s toad is an abundant toad found in the Atlantic Coastal Plain ranging from New England to Michigan, Arkansas, and south to Louisiana. They are absent from the southern part of the Atlantic Coastal Plain, including most of Florida.

Habitat: Fowler’s toad’s habitat can vary widely from residential areas to woodlands with moist areas and small bodies of water (i.e. (Outdoor Alabama)

Full Fowler's Toad guide

Gopher Frog
Photo: jakeschneider00 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · iNaturalist · resized

Gopher Frog

Lithobates capito

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
The complex of gopher frog species that includes the gopher frog and the Mississippi gopher frog occurs from Louisiana to Florida and northward in the Coastal Plain to … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN; Protected: Alabama Reg. 220-2-.92; Endangered (as printed on the agency page)
What the sources say

Range: The complex of gopher frog species that includes the gopher frog and the Mississippi gopher frog occurs from Louisiana to Florida and northward in the Coastal Plain to North Carolina (Altig and Lohoefener 1983). Two apparently disjunct populations, tentatively assigned to the gopher frog, are known from above the Fall Line: one in the Ridge and Valley of Shelby County, Alabama, another in the Interior Low Plateau of Coffee County, Tennessee.

Habitat: Principally open longleaf pine-scrub oak forests developed on sandy soils, the favored habitat of the gopher tortoise in Alabama. (Outdoor Alabama)

Green Treefrog
Photo: lightbed · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

Green Treefrog

Hyla cinerea

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Adults reach about 2.5 inches: USGS gives 1.25 to 2.5 inches snout to vent. Virginia DWR says up to 2 inches.
How to recognize it
  • Smooth skin
  • Prominent toe pads
  • Loud nasal call, like cowbells from a distance
Where in Alabama
In Alabama their distribution is essentially statewide. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
165 records by month.
What the sources say

Habitat: Green treefrogs prefer wet or moist areas such as swamps, lake sides and the edges of streams. (Outdoor Alabama)

Full Green Treefrog guide

Greenhouse Frog
Photo: Rachel Crane · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Greenhouse Frog

Eleutherodactylus planirostris

Not stated Nonnative

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Apparently confined to coastal areas of Baldwin and Mobile Counties, where it prefers lawn edges, gardens, and greenhouses to "natural" habitats. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Exotic
Little Grass Frog
Photo: smokeybear33 · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

Little Grass Frog

Pseudacris ocularis

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Coastal Plain from southeastern Virginia to the southern tip of Florida and west to ChoctawhatcheeBay in the Florida Panhandle (Harper 1939, Moler 1982, Conant and … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
MODERATE CONSERVATION CONCERN; Protected: Alabama Reg. 220-2-.92
What the sources say

Range: Coastal Plain from southeastern Virginia to the southern tip of Florida and west to ChoctawhatcheeBay in the Florida Panhandle (Harper 1939, Moler 1982, Conant and Collins 1991, Jensen 1994). Distribution barely enters Alabama, occurring only in four documented locations in the southeastern corner of the southeasternmost county (Houston) in the state (Mount 1975).

Habitat: Prefers relatively open grass and sedge-dominated wetlands associated with cypress ponds, roadside ditches, pine flatwoods, and savannas (Harper 1939, Wright and Wright 1949, Mount 1975, Gibbons and Semlitsch 1991). (Outdoor Alabama)

No confirmed photo of Mississippi Gopher Frog

Mississippi Gopher Frog

Lithobates sevosus

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Conservation
Endangered/ Possibly extirpated; Protected: Alabama Reg. 220-2-.92
No confirmed photo of Mountain Chorus Frog

Mountain Chorus Frog

Pseudacris brachyphona

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Fairly common from Fall Line Hills northward, absent from most of Coastal Plain. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Low Conservation Concern
No confirmed photo of Northern Cricket Frog

Northern Cricket Frog

Acris crepitans crepitans

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
In Alabama, they are found statewide, and are widespread and abundant in most areas. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Habitat: The northern cricket frog is diurnal (active during the day) and is found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats including streams, ponds, lakes and floodplain pools. (Outdoor Alabama)

Northern Spring Peeper
Photo: Christine Young · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Northern Spring Peeper

Pseudacris crucifer crucifer

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Adults 3/4 to 1 1/4 inches snout to vent, occasionally to 1 1/2 inches; males are smaller than females.
How to recognize it
  • Clear, high-pitched peep about once per second; a chorus can sound like small jingle bells
  • Adhesive pads on the tips of fingers and toes
  • Some individuals have little to no markings
Where in Alabama
Found statewide in suitable habitats … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Range: Found statewide in suitable habitats. Outside of Alabama this frog is found in northwest Florida north to the Canadian maritime provinces, westward to southeastern Manitoba, and south to eastern Texas.

Habitat: During the breeding season, found around permanent or temporary ponds particularly in or near wooded areas. (Outdoor Alabama)

Full Northern Spring Peeper guide

No confirmed photo of Oak Toad

Oak Toad

Anaxyrus quercicus

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Their range extends from eastern Lousiana, throughout Florida, and northward to Virginia following a wide band roughly along the Coastal Plain … Outdoor Alabama
What the sources say

Range: Their range extends from eastern Lousiana, throughout Florida, and northward to Virginia following a wide band roughly along the Coastal Plain. In Alabama, there are historic records in the Coosa River Valley of Ridge and Valley and more currently south of the Blackbelt to the coastline in the Lower Coastal Plain.

Habitat: These tiny toads are usually only observed during and after events of precipitation in which they exit their burrow to either feed or breed. (Outdoor Alabama)

Ornate Chorus Frog
Photo: Scott Allen Davis · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Ornate Chorus Frog

Pseudacris ornata

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Ornate chorus frogs are a Coastal Plain species, ranging from North Carolina, south through North Florida, and west to extreme eastern Louisiana … Outdoor Alabama
What the sources say

Range: Ornate chorus frogs are a Coastal Plain species, ranging from North Carolina, south through North Florida, and west to extreme eastern Louisiana. In Alabama, this species is restricted to the southeast region of the state, extending into Mississippi only along the coast.

Habitat: The ornate chorus frog inhabits ephemeral (temporary) wetlands and surrounding uplands associated with Coastal Plain forest habitats such as sandhills, pine flatwoods, and upland pine forests. (Outdoor Alabama)

Pickerel Frog
Photo: Ken Clark · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Pickerel Frog

Rana palustris

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Danger to people
“In case of attack, pickerel frogs produce skin secretions which are irritating to people and toxic to many reptiles and other amphibians, making them unappetizing to some predators.” Outdoor Alabama
Size
About 1.75 to 3 inches long; large females reach about 3.5 inches. Males are smaller than females.
How to recognize it
  • Two rows of square or rectangular dark spots down the back between two light ridges (dorsolateral folds); spots sometimes merge into bars
  • Bright yellow or orange on the hidden inner surfaces of the hind legs and groin
  • No white spot on the eardrum (tympanum), unlike the southern leopard frog
Where in Alabama
In Alabama, these frogs are found north of the Fall Line, except in the lower Piedmont and lower reaches of the Ridge and Valley region where they are apparently absent … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Low Conservation Concern
31 records by month.
What the sources say

Range: In Alabama, these frogs are found north of the Fall Line, except in the lower Piedmont and lower reaches of the Ridge and Valley region where they are apparently absent. Pickerel frogs also occur locally in the Coastal Plain in the western segment of the Red Hills, and are recorded from a cave near Brooklyn in Covington County, in the upper edge of the lower Coastal Plain.

Habitat: Their habitat is variable, but throughout most of their range pickerel frogs tends to be associated with cool, clear water environments in upland forests and meadows. (Outdoor Alabama)

Full Pickerel Frog guide

No confirmed photo of Pig Frog

Pig Frog

Lithobates grylio

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Pig frogs are found in the Coastal Plain of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and throughout Florida. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Low Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Habitat: They inhabit permanent bodies of water wiht emergent vegetation such as ponds, lakes, marshes, cypress bay heads, wet prairies and river swamps throughout their range. (Outdoor Alabama)

Pine Barrens Treefrog
Photo: Matthew Lumsden · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Pine Barrens Treefrog

Hyla andersonii

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Discontinuous in Atlantic Coastal Plain from New Jersey to South Carolina and found in the Gulf Coastal Plain in the Florida Panhandle and a small area of southern … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN; Protected: Alabama Reg. 220-2-.92
What the sources say

Range: Discontinuous in Atlantic Coastal Plain from New Jersey to South Carolina and found in the Gulf Coastal Plain in the Florida Panhandle and a small area of southern Alabama. An intensive search in Alabama revealed it at only 22 sites in southern Covington, Escambia, and Geneva Counties (Mount 1980b, Moler 1981).

Habitat: Hillside seepage bogs along gently sloping, small stream val­leys typical in Alabama. (Outdoor Alabama)

No confirmed photo of Pine Woods Treefrog

Pine Woods Treefrog

Hyla femoralis

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
The pine woods treefrog is a Coastal Plain species, ranging from Virginia, south through Florida, excluding the Everglades, and extending westward to eastern Louisiana … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Range: The pine woods treefrog is a Coastal Plain species, ranging from Virginia, south through Florida, excluding the Everglades, and extending westward to eastern Louisiana. In Alabama this species is found in the Coastal Plain areas; however, disjunct populations (separated from the main range) occur above the Fall Line in Alabama as far north as Shelby County.

Habitat: Pine woods treefrogs primarily inhabit the forested areas of the Coastal Plain, although they may also occur in adjacent open areas. (Outdoor Alabama)

No confirmed photo of Rio Grande Chirping Frog

Rio Grande Chirping Frog

Eleutherodactylus campi

Not stated Nonnative

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
No confirmed photo of River Frog

River Frog

Lithobates heckscheri

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Restricted to lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States from the Lumber and Cape Fear Rivers in North Carolina, southward through southern Georgia to … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
HIGHEST CONSERVATION CONCERN; Protected: Alabama Reg. 220-2-.92
What the sources say

Range: Restricted to lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States from the Lumber and Cape Fear Rivers in North Carolina, southward through southern Georgia to north-central Florida, and westward across the Florida Panhandle and southern Alabama into extreme southern Mississippi (Simmons and Hardy 1959, Mount 1975). In Alabama, known from only six localities in the extreme southern portion of the lower Coastal Plain in Mobile County (Franklin Creek), Baldwin County (Perdido and Styx Rivers), E

Habitat: Along rivers and smaller streams and in river floodplains including floodplain swamps and cut-off overflow pools (Wright 1924, Carr 1940). (Outdoor Alabama)

No confirmed photo of Southern Chorus Frog

Southern Chorus Frog

Pseudacris nigrita nigrita

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
The southern chorus frog is another Coastal Plain species, ranging from North Carolina, south through Florida, and west into Mississippi … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Range: The southern chorus frog is another Coastal Plain species, ranging from North Carolina, south through Florida, and west into Mississippi. This species is restricted to the Lower Coastal Plain of Alabama, only extending northward in the area east of the Conecuh River.

Habitat: Southern chorus frogs inhabit the uplands of the Coastal Plain including sandhills and pine flatwoods. (Outdoor Alabama)

Southern Leopard Frog
Photo: Judy Gallagher · CC BY-SA 4.0 · iNaturalist · resized

Southern Leopard Frog

Lithobates sphenocephala

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Rana sphenocephala is found throughout Alabama in suitable habitats … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Range: Rana sphenocephala is found throughout Alabama in suitable habitats. Outside of Alabama this frog is found north to New Jersey, west to Oklahoma and into Kansas, south to the eastern third of Texas across the Gulf Coast to Florida.

Habitat: They are found in most freshwater habitats but limited in slightly brackish waters. (Outdoor Alabama)

Southern Toad
Photo: Rstanton13 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Southern Toad

Anaxyrus terrestris

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Danger to people
“However, the bufotoxin secreted from the parotoid glands can, in some cases, cause some irritation to human mucous membranes.” Outdoor Alabama
Size
Usually 1.6 to 2.9 inches (SREL), with official ranges up to 3.5 inches (Virginia DWR) or 4 inches (Alabama); island populations can reach 4.4 inches. FWC: maximum of about 3 to 4 inches. Females are larger than males.
How to recognize it
  • High ridges (cranial crests) on the head that end in raised knobs in front of the glands behind the eyes, giving a "horned" look. NCWRC: this is the easiest way to tell it from American and Fowler's toads.
  • Large, elongated (Alabama: kidney-shaped) parotoid glands behind the eyes; UF/IFAS describes them as small and oval compared with the cane toad's large triangular glands.
  • A faint light stripe may run down the middle of the back.
Where in Alabama
Common in southern and western portions of Alabama, occupying all of Coastal Plain and western portions of Southwestern Appalachians. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
66 records by month.
What the sources say

Habitat: The southern toad commonly inhabits sandy soil environments. (Outdoor Alabama)

Full Southern Toad guide

No confirmed photo of Squirrel Treefrog

Squirrel Treefrog

Hyla squirrella

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
In Alabama, the squirrel treefrog is found primarily in the Coastal Plain and its range extends northeast into the Ridge and Valley region as far north as Etowah County. Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Habitat: The squirrel treefrog is often seen on highways during and following heavy rains on warm nights. (Outdoor Alabama)

No confirmed photo of Upland Chorus Frog

Upland Chorus Frog

Pseudacris feriarum feriarum

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
Upland chorus frogs are common to abundant in all areas of Alabama down to the southern boundary of the Red Hills regions … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
Lowest Conservation Concern
What the sources say

Range: Upland chorus frogs are common to abundant in all areas of Alabama down to the southern boundary of the Red Hills regions. In the Lower Coastal Plain they are locally common from the Conecuh River eastward and apparently absent west of the Conecuh River.

Habitat: Upland chorus frogs are nocturnal and prefer grassy areas, moist woodlands, river-bottom swamps, ponds, bogs and marshes. (Outdoor Alabama)

No confirmed photo of Wood Frog

Wood Frog

Lithobates sylvatica

Not stated

Venom
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in Alabama
The wood frog can be found from the Canadian Maritimes west to Alaska, with southern portions of its range extending from southern Minnesota and Wisconsin to Arkansas … Outdoor Alabama
Conservation
HIGH CONSERVATION CONCERN; Protected: Alabama Reg. 220-2-.92
What the sources say

Range: The wood frog can be found from the Canadian Maritimes west to Alaska, with southern portions of its range extending from southern Minnesota and Wisconsin to Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and northern South Carolina to Maryland. In Alabama, wood frogs are rare and local in distribution.

Habitat: Wood frogs are usually found in moist, deciduous forests with a lot of leaf litter and lay eggs in vernal pools. (Outdoor Alabama)

Frogs and Toads people confuse

American toad or Fowler's toad?

American toad
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

American toad Not stated

Fowler's toad
Photo: Peter Paplanus from St. Louis, Missouri · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fowler's toad Not stated

The difference official sources agree on is at the head: in the American toad the ridge (cranial crest) behind each eye is separate from the parotoid gland or joined to it only by a short spur; in Fowler's toad the two touch. Fowler's toad also has three or more warts in each of the larger dark spots, while the American toad has fewer (TWRA: one or two; Ohio DNR: one, two or three; Georgia DNR: usually no more than one). Fowler's toad has a whitish belly, often with a single dark spot on the chest; the American toad's belly is peppered with dark spots. The two can hybridize, so some toads cannot be told apart.

Fowler's toad or American toad?

Fowler's toad
Photo: Peter Paplanus from St. Louis, Missouri · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fowler's toad Not stated

American toad
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Midwest Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

American toad Not stated

The difference official sources agree on is at the head: in the American toad the ridge (cranial crest) behind each eye is separate from the parotoid gland or joined to it only by a short spur; in Fowler's toad the two touch. Fowler's toad also has three or more warts in each of the larger dark spots, while the American toad has fewer (TWRA: one or two; Ohio DNR: one, two or three; Georgia DNR: usually no more than one). Fowler's toad has a whitish belly, often with a single dark spot on the chest; the American toad's belly is peppered with dark spots. The two can hybridize, and hybrids have intermediate features.

Fowler's toad or Southern toad?

Fowler's toad
Photo: Peter Paplanus from St. Louis, Missouri · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fowler's toad Not stated

Southern toad
Photo: Rstanton13 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Southern toad Not stated

The southern toad has larger cranial ridges (crests) on the head. The two may hybridize where their ranges meet.

Green Treefrog or Cuban Treefrog?

Green Treefrog
Photo: lightbed · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist

Green Treefrog Not stated

Cuban Treefrog
Photo: Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Cuban Treefrog Not stated

Florida Museum: the invasive Cuban treefrog is larger, with larger toe pads and irregularly bumpy skin. UF/IFAS: any treefrog in Florida longer than 3 inches is almost certainly a Cuban treefrog.

Spring Peeper or Mountain Chorus Frog?

Spring Peeper
Photo: Christine Young · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist

Spring Peeper Not stated

No confirmed photo of Mountain Chorus Frog

Mountain Chorus Frog Not stated

Ohio: two dark, curved stripes on the back like reversed parentheses, which on some frogs form a crude X or H (so it is easily confused with the spring peeper); it usually has a dark triangle between the eyes and a white line on the upper lip.

Southern toad or Oak toad?

Southern toad
Photo: Rstanton13 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized

Southern toad Not stated

No confirmed photo of Oak toad

Oak toad Not stated

The oak toad is tiny (never over 1.5 inches, UF/IFAS) with a bold light stripe from snout down the back and indistinct head crests; NCWRC notes young southern toads are often mistaken for oak toads.

Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.

When frogs and toads are active in Alabama

Records of frogs and toads in Alabama peak in April to July and September. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).

919 records of frogs and toads in Alabama by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).

If you are bitten or stung

Call 911 or Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Poison Help connects you to your local poison center, any time of day.

How to report

Nuisance wildlife: permitted Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators or the WFF district office; Wildlife Section 334-242-3469. Sea turtle strandings 1-866-732-8878. Dolphin and whale strandings 877-942-5343. Manatee sightings 866-493-5803. Invasive carp [email protected] or (256)-353-2634. Outdoor Alabama

About this list

The species list comes from Frogs and Toads of Alabama (Outdoor Alabama) (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama), undated page; as of retrieval 2026-11-03). 34 more entries come from other official sources named on each card.

Venom labels come only from official sources and link to them; "Not stated" never means harmless. How labels work.

"Nonnative" and "Invasive" follow the wording of the source list. See invasive species in Alabama.

Want a paper copy? Print the Alabama frogs and toads ID chart.

Sources

  1. Watchable Wildlife. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  2. Frogs and Toads of Alabama. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  3. American Bullfrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  4. American Toad. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  5. Barking Treefrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  6. Bird-voiced Treefrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  7. Bronze Frog/Green Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  8. Cope's Gray Treefrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  9. Crawfish Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  10. Cricket Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  11. Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  12. Eastern Spadefoot. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  13. Fowler's Toad. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “These glands emit a white, toxic fluid which helps them escape predators.”
  14. Gopher Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  15. Green Treefrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  16. Greenhouse Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  17. Little Grass Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  18. Mountain Chorus Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  19. Northern Cricket Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  20. Northern Spring Peeper. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  21. Oak Toad. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  22. Ornate Chorus Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  23. Pickerel Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “In case of attack, pickerel frogs produce skin secretions which are irritating to people and toxic to many reptiles and other amphibians, making them unappetizing to some predators.”
  24. Pig Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “The pig frog breeds from April through August.”
  25. Pine Barrens Treefrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  26. Pine Woods Treefrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  27. River Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  28. Southern Chorus Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  29. Southern Leopard Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  30. Southern Toad. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “However, the bufotoxin secreted from the parotoid glands can, in some cases, cause some irritation to human mucous membranes.”
  31. Squirrel Treefrog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  32. Upland Chorus Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  33. Wood Frog. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
  34. NAS occurrence records, state=AL (all groups). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species. API as of retrieval 2026-11-03; checked November 3, 2026.
  35. Report Aquatic Invasive Species. Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Outdoor Alabama). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
    Quoted passages (1)
    “Reports can be submitted at: [email protected] or by phone at (256)-353-2634.”
  36. GBIF.org occurrence records, human observations licensed CC0 1.0 or CC BY 4.0 only, accessed November 3, 2026. The datasets behind these counts are listed on our Sources page.