MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE

Field Guide to Maryland's Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)


North American Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)

Adult Northern Green Frog, photo courtesy of John White
Photo of Adult North American Green Frog courtesy of John White
Former Name:
Green Frog​​

Size:
  • 2¼ - 3½ inches
  • Record - 4¼ inches

    • Appearance:
  • Highly variable.
  • A plain green or brownish frog with a dorsolateral ridge that extends only down the back (does not reach groin)
  • Mottled dark and light (white or yellowish/greenish) under throat and along sides. 
  • The center of the tympanum (ear) is elevated. 
  • Adult males have a bright yellow throat, and the tympanum is larger than the eye. 

    • Habitats:

    Photo of Habitat for Northern Green Frog courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers
    Photo of Habitat for North American Green Frog
    courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers

  • Shallow freshwater wetlands, from roadside ditches to pond, lake, stream and river edges. 
  • Also bogs, flooded pastures and fields.   

    • How to Find:
  • Listen for the characteristic broken banjo string, which is usually given explosively loud, as a single note or 3-4 notes, each diminishing in volume. 
  • Breeds from later April through July. 
  • Readily caught by hand or with dipnet along shorelines or in shallow water. 
  • Calls day or night.

    • Distribution in Maryland:
    North American Green frogs can be found throughout Maryland.
    Maryland Distribution Map for Northern Green Frog 
    For More Information: