No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Size
Usually 6 to 8 inches long (NCWRC); can reach 8 inches or more and weigh over 2 pounds (CDFW). Missouri gives 3.5 to 6 inches snout to vent, occasionally to 8.75.
How to recognize it
No ridge (dorsolateral fold) down each side of the back
Large round eardrum: about twice the eye in males, about eye-sized in females
Fully webbed hind feet, longest toe extends past the webbing
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maine IF&W lists the spring peeper's distinguishing characteristics: Maine's smallest frog (about 0.8 to 1.5 inches), grayish- or orangish-brown above with a distinct dark X on the back, and smooth skin; it notes it is commonly confused with the gray treefrog.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When frogs and toads are active in Arkansas
Records of frogs and toads in Arkansas peak in March to June and October. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
835 records of frogs and toads in Arkansas by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
How to report
Nuisance wildlife hotline 833-345-0315, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., voicemail any time; alligator nuisance calls answered 24/7. Aquatic nuisance species sightings: AGFC Aquatic Nuisance Species Form (www.agfc.com/ans); suspected apple snails also to the ANS Program Coordinator at 501-604-0485. Mountain lion sightings with verifiable evidence: nearest AGFC office. AGFC
Nuisance Wildlife. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.Quoted passages (1)
“The nuisance wildlife hotline, 833-345-0315, is available during 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for immediate assistance, although voicemails can be left at any time that will be returned during normal working hours. Alligator nuisance calls will be answered 24/7 via an emergency liaison. … Report sightings immediately by filling out the Aquatic Nuisance Species Form … report the location immediately to AGFC at www.agfc.com/ans or immediately call the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Program Coordinator, Matt Horton, at 501-604-0485 … The public is encouraged to contact their nearest AGFC office with any sightings of mountain lions with verifiable evidence.”
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