What Kind of Frogs Are in Florida?

Florida, with its extensive wetland ecosystems, is an ideal habitat for a wide range of animal species. The state is the native home of 27 species of frog and two frogs that are not native to the state but have breeding populations. The Florida frog species come in various sizes and types.

  1. True Frogs

    • Florida is home to 10 species of true frogs. True frogs are defined by certain characteristics such as a bony breast bone, narrow waist, long legs and horizontal pupils in the eyes. Of the 10 species found in the state, three are listed as endangered. The Florida gopher and its sub-species, the dusky gopher, as well as the bog frog are all at risk. The other true frogs found in Florida are the bullfrog, bronze frog, pig frog, river frog, pickerel frog, southern leopard frog and the carpenter frog.

    Tree Frogs

    • Florida is home to 13 species of treefrogs. Treefrogs are characterized as having large toe pads, which can secrete a mucus to help the frogs climb trees. Only one of the state's native treefrogs is listed as endangered, that being the pine barrens, which is a small species found in bog wet lands. Three of the state's species are known as cricket frogs, named for their cricket-like vocalizations. The northern, southern and Florida cricket frogs are all native. Other local tree frogs include the bird-voiced, Cope's gray, green, southern peeper, northern peeper pinewoods, barking, squirrel and the little grass.

    Chorus Frogs

    • Florida is home to four other treefrog species, which are also known as chorus frogs. The species get this name due to their high level of vocalization. They can commonly be heard day and night. The southern and Florida chorus frogs are closely related and look similar in appearance. The two other species, the ornate and upland chorus frogs, are also closely related. All four species are found in small ponds in the state's wooded areas.

    Invasive Frog Species

    • The state has two species living in the wild that are not native, one of which is considered a pest and a danger to the state's biodiversity. The Cuban treefrog, which is the largest species of treefrog in North America, is a voracious hunter that not only eats smaller native frogs but reptiles, insects and spiders. The Cuban treefrog was introduced to Florida from the Caribbean. The smaller, less-threatening greenhouse frog, which is a tropical species, is also an immigrant from the Caribbean.