Learn about the Frogs of Manitoba
Here is a list of frog species to watch in Manitoba. Happy Listening!
Data provided by the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network
American Toad
Scientific name: Anaxyrus americanus
Classification: Toad
Description: The American Toad is a large, squat toad with warty brown, reddish or olive skin and variously coloured spots and skin glands. There is often a light line down the middle of the back. It is distinguished from other toads by its long parotid glands which do not touch its prominent cranial crests. Maximum adult size is 11 cm.
Canadian Toad
Scientific name: Anaxyrus hemiophrys
Classification: Toad
Description: This relatively small toad is either brown to grey-green or reddish with reddish warts surrounded by black spots. There is a light line down the centre of the back and the belly is pale with grey spots. It is distinguished by cranial crests which fuse to form a hump between the eyes. Two prominent tubercles on its hind feet are used for burrowing. Maximum adult size is only 7 cm.
Great Plains Toad
Scientific name: Bufo cognatus
Classification: Treefrog
Description: The Spotted Frog is a large brown true frog with ill defined spots which may have light centres. It has dorsolateral ridges and a dark mask with a light stripe on the upper jaw. Its toes are fully webbed and the eyes are slightly upturned. The tympanum is prominent. The underside may be yellow, orange or red with dark mottling on the throat. Maximum adult size is 10 cm.
Plains Spadefoot Toad
Scientific name: Spea bombifrons
Classification: Toad
Description: Spadefoots differ from other frogs and toads by their vertical pupil, relatively smooth skin, teeth in their upper jaw and absence of parotid glands. They also have a horny, sharp, dark edged knob or tubercle (the “spade”) on the inner surface of the hind foot. There may be light stripes on the back. The belly is white. Maximum adult size is 6 cm.
Boreal Chorus Frog
Scientific name: Pseudacris maculata
Classification: Treefrog
Description: The Boreal Chorus Frog is a small, smooth skinned treefrog. Colour varies from green-gray to brown. There is a dark stripe through the eye and a white stripe along the upper lip. It is distinguished from most other treefrogs by the three dark stripes down the back. In some individuals the stripes are broken into dashes or dots. Maximum adult size is just under 4 cm.
Cope’s Gray Treefrog
Scientific name: Hyla chrysoscelis
Classification: Treefrog
Description: Cope’s Gray Treefrog looks identical to the Gray Treefrog. The two species can only be distinguished from each other by their calls. They have rough, green, brown or gray skin with large darker blotches on the back. Like many treefrogs, they have large toe-pads. The two species can be distinguished from other frogs by the dark-edged light spot under the eyes and by bright yellow-orange colouration under the thighs. Adults may reach 6 cm.
Gray Treefrog
Scientific name: Hyla versicolor
Classification: Treefrog
Description: The Gray Treefrog looks identical to Cope’s Gray Treefrog. The two species can only be distinguished from each other by their calls. They have rough, green, brown or gray skin with large darker blotches on the back. Like many treefrogs, they have large toe-pads. The two species can be distinguished from other frogs by the dark-edged light spot under the eyes and by bright yellow-orange colouration under the thighs. Adults may reach 6 cm.
Spring Peeper
Scientific name: Pseudacris crucifer
Classification: Treefrog
Description: The Spring Peeper is a typical treefrog being small, with enlarged toe pads and varying in colour from tan to gray. It is distinguished from other treefrogs by a dark X on the back. These tiny frogs reach no more than 3 cm.
Green Frog
Scientific name: Rana clamitans
Classification: True frog
Description: The Green Frog is a large, true frog with large, distinct tympanum and prominent dorsolateral ridges. It may be green, bronze or brown, or a combination but is typically green on the upper lip. The belly is white with darker lines or spots. There may be some irregular spotting on the back. It is distinguished from other frogs in that the dorsolateral ridges run only partway down the back and do not reach the groin. The hind legs have dark bars. Males have a bright yellow throat. Maximum adult size is 10 cm.
Leopard Frog
Scientific name: Rana pipiens
Classification: True Frog
Description: A green or brown frog with large, light-edged spots. Leopard Frogs also have prominent light-coloured dorsolateral ridges and a white belly. They can grow to over 10 cm body length but this is quite rare. Adults are usually 5-8 cm.
Mink Frog
Scientific name: Lithobates septentrionalis
Classification: True Frog
Description: The Mink Frog is a moderate sized frog, olive to brown in colour and may have dark spots or mottling on the sides and hind legs. The belly is yellowish and the dorsolateral ridges may be prominent, partial or absent. It has a large tympanum and slightly upturned eyes. The name Mink Frog refers to its pungent, musky odour. The webbing on the hind foot reaches the last joint of the longest toe. Adults may reach 7 cm.
Wood Frog
Scientific name: Rana sylvatica
Classification: True Frog
Description: This is a moderate sized, true frog with prominent dorsolateral ridges. It may be reddish, tan or dark brown with a dark mask that ends abruptly behind the tympanum. Some individuals have a light line down the middle of the back. There is a dark blotch on the chest near each front leg. The belly is white and there may be some dark mottling. The toes are not fully webbed. Adults may reach up to 8 cm.