How to identify Nova Scotia's frogs and toads

Eastern American Toad

our only toad brown, with darker "warts" on back belly is greenish or brownish-white may be red or orange around the groin call is a trill

Northern Spring Peeper

small, size of a quarter coin colour a mixture of browns and greys rough X-shaped pattern on the back (often broken or distorted) call is a loud "peep"

Green Frog

variable colour; green above, brownish back belly grey-white, enamel-white or yellowish may have dark brown spots on back, or mottled ridge extending from above eye to along back - contrast this with Bullfrog

Mink Frog

variable colour and pattern green, spotted or mottled with olive-green or brown backs of legs are green with black spots leg spots may run down the leg but not across it belly grey-white or yellowish easily confused with a mottled Green Frog

Northern Leopard Frog

bright grass-green, occasionally brown black spots on back and sides body spots are oval, hind leg spots are elongate - (contrast with Pickerel Frog's rectangular spots) belly is white

Pickerel Frog

yellowish-brown back irregular square or rectangular brown-black spots in rows on the back and sides - (contrast with Leopard Frog's oval spots) groin and underside of hind legs are orange belly is greyish-white

Wood Frog

grey-brown or tan-brown dark brown mask along sides of head in breeding season (March-April), colour darkens body about the size of a Loonie or Toonie call is like ducks quacking

Bullfrog

our largest frog, up to fist-sized plain green with yellow-green legs ridge starts behind eye, curves down around eardrum call a deep booming "jug-o'-rum"

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