American Bullfrog
Rana catesbeianus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
North Carolina Frogs and Toads: Pictures & ID Guide
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
This page lists 32 species: all from N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission's 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-1 AMPHIBIANS SGCN and Priority Species List - order Anura rows. 1 is nonnative.
All 32 frogs and toads
From A to Z.
No confirmed photo of Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog
Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog
Rana Kauffeldi
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
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.
No confirmed photo of Brimley's Chorus Frog
Brimley's Chorus Frog
Pseudacris brimleyi
- 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 Carpenter Frog
Carpenter Frog
Rana virgatipes
- 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 Collinses' Mountain Chorus Frog
Collinses' Mountain Chorus Frog
Pseudacris collinsorum
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
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.
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Eastern American Toad
Bufo americanus americanus
- 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.
No confirmed photo of Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad
Gastrophryne carolinensis
- 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
Bufo 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
Gopher Frog
Rana capito
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- Federal ESA Protection Status: At-Risk
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Green Frog
Rana clamitans
- 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
Little Grass Frog
Pseudacris ocularis
- 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 Northern Cricket Frog
Northern 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.
Northern 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
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: SC
Northern Spring Peeper
Pseudacris 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
No confirmed photo of Oak Toad
Oak Toad
Bufo quercicus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Ornate Chorus Frog
Pseudacris ornata
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: E
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
Pine Barrens Treefrog
Hyla andersonii
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: T
No confirmed photo of Pine Woods Treefrog
Pine Woods Treefrog
Hyla femoralis
- 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
Rana heckscheri
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
- Conservation
- NC State Protection Status: E
No confirmed photo of Southern Chorus Frog
Southern Chorus Frog
Pseudacris nigrita
- 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 Southern Cricket Frog
Southern Cricket Frog
Acris gryllus
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Southern Leopard Frog
Rana sphenocephalus utricularius
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Southern Toad
Bufo terrestris
- 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 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.
No confirmed photo of Squirrel Treefrog
Squirrel Treefrog
Hyla squirella
- 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 Upland Chorus Frog
Upland Chorus Frog
Pseudacris feriarum
- 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 Wood Frog
Wood Frog
Rana sylvaticus
- 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 Wood Frog - Coastal Plain Pop.
Wood Frog - Coastal Plain Pop.
Rana sylvaticus pop.3
- Venom
- No official source we use states whether this animal is venomous. That does not mean it is harmless: do not handle it.
Frogs and Toads people confuse
American toad or Fowler's toad?
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American toad Not stated
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 Not stated
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 Not stated
Southern toad Not stated
The southern toad has larger cranial ridges (crests) on the head. The two may hybridize where their ranges meet.
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.
Photos show typical adults; individuals vary. Never get close to compare.
When frogs and toads are active in North Carolina
Records of frogs and toads in North Carolina peak in May to September. They show when people record frogs and toads, not how many there are (about month bars).
How to report
NC Wildlife Helpline (NCWRC), Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.: 866-318-2401; email [email protected]. Aquatic invasive species: NCWRC Aquatic Nuisance Species Reporting Tool (https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/710337fbf02140599fd788ebfdd72744). Rattlesnake sightings: [email protected] or HerpMapper. Wildlife violations / alligator emergencies: 800-662-7137. Yellow-legged hornet: www.ncagr.gov/YLH (NCDA&CS). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
About this list
The species list comes from 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-1 AMPHIBIANS SGCN and Priority Species List (2025 WAP Revision Taxa Team Evaluations) - order Anura rows (N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, 2025 NC State Wildlife Action Plan (approved by USFWS January 2026)).
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 North Carolina.
Want a paper copy? Print the North Carolina frogs and toads ID chart.
Sources
- North Carolina's State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) page. N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. 2025 SWAP approved by USFWS January 2026; checked November 3, 2026.
- 2025 SWAP Appendix 3 Table 3-1 AMPHIBIANS SGCN and Priority Species List (2025 WAP Revision Taxa Team Evaluations). N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. 2025 NC SWAP; checked November 3, 2026.
- Have a Wildlife Problem? N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“The Wildlife Helpline is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call: 866-318-2401”
- 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.