Discover Maryland's Herps

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

True Frogs (Family Ranidae)

Northern Green Frog
Lithobates clamitans melanota

Adult Northern Green Frog, photo courtesy of John White
Photo of Adult Northern Green Frog courtesy of John White

 

Size

  • 2¼ - 3½ inches
  • Record - 4¼ inches
    •

    Adult Northern Green Frog, photo courtesy of P. Kazyak
     Photo of Adult Northern Green Frog courtesy of P. Kazyak

    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. 
    •

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

    Habitat

  • 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.
    •

    Maryland Distribution Map
    Maryland Distribution Map for Northern Green Frog

    Maryland Amphibian
    and Reptile Atlas Project

    "A Joint Project of the Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources"

    Recent Newsletters

    The Maryland Herpetology Field Guide is a cooperative effort of the MD Natural Heritage Program and the MD Biological Stream Survey within the Department of Natural Resources and their partners. We wish to thank all who contributed field records, text, and photographs, as well as support throughout its development.