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.
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.
Where in New Jersey
All of Southern Region, except northern Salem, and western Camden and Gloucester Counties and the Cape May peninsula. Northern Region: southeastern Monmouth County. NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP
Conservation
State Special Concern
What the sources say
Habitat: The Carpenter Frog is sometimes called the “sphagnum frog” because of its close association with sphagnum bogs. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
No confirmed photo of Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Eastern Spadefoot Toad
Scaphiopus h. holbrookii
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.
Habitat: This chorus frog is found in a variety of habitats, including dry areas or those disturbed by human activity. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
No confirmed photo of Northern Cricket Frog
Northern Cricket Frog
Acris c. 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.
Habitat: Cricket frogs are found near shallow areas of permanent bodies of water vegetated with shrubs and trees. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
Habitat: Gray treefrogs are typically high in the trees, except when they are at the water’s edge during breeding season. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
Habitat: Pickerel Frogs are found in a variety of habitats, particularly the clear waters of ravines and meadow streams. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Where in New Jersey
Burlington, Ocean, Atlantic, Camden, and Gloucester Counties in the Southern Region: primarily restricted to Pine Barrens. NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP
Conservation
State Threatened
What the sources say
Habitat: The Pine Barrens Treefrog requires the acidic waters of Atlantic white-cedar swamps and bogs in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
No confirmed photo of Southern Gray Treefrog
Southern 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.
Habitat: Gray treefrogs are typically high in the trees, except when they are at the water’s edge during breeding season. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
No confirmed photo of Southern Leopard Frog
Southern Leopard Frog
Rana spenocephala
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.
Habitat: The Southern Leopard Frog is usually found in shallow freshwater, but will even venture into brackish water near the coast. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
No confirmed photo of Upland Chorus Frog
Upland Chorus Frog
Pseudacris triseriata 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.
Habitat: Swamps, moist woodlands, and the surroundings of marshes, bogs, and ponds are suitable habitats for the Upland Chorus Frog. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
Habitat: Although the Wood Frog often wanders considerable distances from water, it is typically found in moist, wooded areas. (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, ENSP)
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.
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.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When frogs and toads are active in New Jersey
Records of frogs and toads in New Jersey peak in April to July. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
1,737 records of frogs and toads in New Jersey by month (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records).
DEP 24-hour hotline 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337) for venomous snakes on private land, bear damage or nuisance bears, and injured or dead bobcats; report endangered, threatened and special concern wildlife (and roadkill) with the NJ Wildlife Tracker app. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife
About this list
The species list comes from Amphibians of New Jersey (checklist) (NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, Last Updated: February 17, 2006). 2 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.
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