No confirmed photo of Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog
Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog
Lithobates kauffeldi
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Delaware Frogs and Toads: Pictures & ID Guide
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
DNREC: Delaware is home to 28 species of amphibians, of which 13 (46%) meet the criteria for SGCN.
This page lists 16 species: 6 from DNREC's Amphibians and Reptiles SGCN table; DEWAP SGCN removals table; USFWS Bombay Hook NWR Amphibians and Reptiles and 10 named in other official sources. DNREC gives a total of 28; the 16 here are the frogs and toads official sources name one by one.
All 16 frogs and toads
From A to Z.
Barking Treefrog
Hyla gratiosa
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- state endangered; SGCN Tier 1
What the sources say
Habitat: Breeds only in Coastal Plain seasonal ponds (DNREC)
Bullfrog
Rana catesbeiana
- Venom
- 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 confirmed photo of Carpenter Frog
Carpenter Frog
Lithobates virgatipes
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- state endangered; SGCN Tier 1
No confirmed photo of Cope's Gray Treefrog
Cope's Gray Treefrog
Hyla chrysoscelis
- 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 Eastern Cricket Frog
Eastern Cricket Frog
Acris crepitans
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
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Eastern Spadefoot
Scaphiopus holbrookii
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
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Fowler's Toad
Anaxyrus fowleri
- 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 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
Gray Treefrog
Hyla versicolor
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Size
- Small: body usually 1¼ to 2½ inches long (snout to vent); Tennessee gives 1.25 to 2 inches.
- How to recognize it
- Large white or gray spot below each eye
- Warty (granular) skin and sticky pads on fingers and toes
- Bright orange or golden yellow on the underside of each hind leg, shown as a flash color
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Green Frog
Rana clamitans melanota
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Green Treefrog
Hyla cinerea
- 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
No confirmed photo of New Jersey Chorus Frog
New Jersey Chorus Frog
Pseudacris kalmi
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Northern Spring Peeper
Pseudacris crucifer crucifer
- 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 Delaware
- Statewide; most widespread herp in the 2018-2023 atlas (88% of blocks) DNREC
Pickerel Frog
Rana palustris
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- 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
What the sources say
Habitat: Floodplains, wet meadows and pond margins; overwinters in springs (DNREC)
Southern Leopard Frog
Rana utricularia utricularia
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Wood Frog
Lithobates sylvaticus
- 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 1.5 to 2.75 inches snout to vent, occasionally to 3.5 inches; females are larger than males.
- How to recognize it
- Dark eye mask: SREL calls it the only frog in the Southeast with such a facial pattern
- Distinct ridge of skin (dorsolateral fold) down each side of the back to the groin
- Call: a rapid, hoarse 'waaaduck' like a quacking duck, repeated three or four times
Frogs and Toads people confuse
Wood frog or Green frog (young; including bronze color form)?
Wood frog Not stated
Green frog (young; including bronze color form) Not stated
MDC: young green frogs can be similar in color but lack the dark brown mask through each eye.
Fowler's toad or Eastern spadefoot?
Fowler's toad Not stated
Eastern spadefoot Not stated
The eastern spadefoot has no cranial crest and has vertical pupils.
Green Treefrog or Gray Treefrog and Cope's Gray Treefrog?
Green Treefrog Not stated
Gray Treefrog and Cope's Gray Treefrog Not stated
Missouri Department of Conservation calls both gray treefrogs gray, unlike the green treefrog, but its gray treefrog account says their color may be green to light greenish gray, gray, brown or dark brown, so color alone does not settle it. MDC: gray treefrogs have warty (granular) skin; the green treefrog's back is smooth and a light stripe runs from its upper lip down the side of the body.
Gray treefrog or Green treefrog?
Gray treefrog Not stated
Green treefrog Not stated
The green treefrog is truly green with a light stripe from the upper lip down the side of the body.
Spring Peeper or Gray Treefrog?
Spring Peeper Not stated
Gray Treefrog Not stated
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.
American Bullfrog or Green Frog (Bronze Frog)?
American Bullfrog Not stated
Green Frog (Bronze Frog) Not stated
Bullfrogs lack the dorsolateral ridges that green frogs have.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When frogs and toads are active in Delaware
Records of frogs and toads in Delaware peak in June to August. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
How to report
Invasive aquatic species: report to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife by phone, email or the online Invasive Fish Tracker. Invasive terrestrial species: Wildlife Section, 302-739-9912. Sick or dead wildlife (five or more at one place): 302-735-3600 ext. 2. Wildlife damage biologist: 302-735-8683. DNREC
About this list
The species list comes from Amphibians and Reptiles SGCN table (2025-2035 DEWAP); DEWAP SGCN removals table; USFWS Bombay Hook NWR Amphibians and Reptiles (Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), DEWAP pages modified 2025-12-16). 10 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.
Want a paper copy? Print the Delaware frogs and toads ID chart.
Sources
- Delaware's Endangered Species. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). datePublished 2020-05-15, dateModified 2025-04-28; checked November 3, 2026.
- Amphibians and Reptiles (2025-2035 Delaware Wildlife Action Plan). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). datePublished 2025-09-09, dateModified 2025-12-16; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Delaware is home to 28 species of amphibians, of which 13 (46%) meet the criteria for SGCN.”
- Update and Revision of Delaware's SGCN List. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). datePublished 2025-07-16, dateModified 2025-12-16; checked November 3, 2026.
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge: Amphibians and Reptiles. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. archived copy, captured July 20, 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- Gone Herpin' - DNREC Catalogs Delaware's Reptiles and Amphibians (Outdoor Delaware). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2020-09-30, modified 2025-07-08; checked November 3, 2026.
- Winter Survival Strategies: Hibernation in Delaware's Animal Kingdom (Outdoor Delaware). Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2024-02-12, modified 2025-07-08; checked November 3, 2026.
- Invasive Aquatic Species. Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). published 2020-02-11, modified 2025-02-03; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“It is also important to keep an eye out for invasive terrestrial species. They should be reported to the Wildlife Section, at 302-739-9912.”
- 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.