Herpwatch McHenry County
Frogs and Toads
Northern Leopard Frog
Rana pipiens
"Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens)" by Matt Weldon
Where to Find: Individuals reside in and around lakes, ponds, and streams. They can also commonly be found in grassy terrestrial habitats far from bodies of water.
Key Characteristics: Body color varies from bright green to tan brown with a light belly. Prominent, rounded oval shaped spots surrounded by a lighter outline cover the body. Majority of individuals lack a very prominent white spot on each temporal membrane. Ridges run from behind each eye to bottom of back. An additional ridge is located below each eye, beginning at the snout and ending behind the top of the front leg. Adults grow to lengths between 5-9.5 cm, medium sized frogs.
Pickerel Frog
Lithobates palustris
"Pickerel Frog (Lithobates Rana palustris)" by Steve Byland
Where to Find: Prefer cool, clean waters of streams with plentiful vegetation. Can also be found in grassy habitats away from water and can often be found near the entrances of caves.
Key Characteristics: Individuals have a yellowish-tan body. Ridges run below the eyes, starting at the snout and ending behind the top of the front leg. Two additional ridges run down the back, beginning behind the eye and ending at the end of the back. Between the ridges, two rows of dark rectangular spots run down the back. Spots along the sides of the body become increasingly irregular in shape toward the belly. Belly is white and unmarked. Adults are small to medium, growing to be 4.5-7.5 cm long.
Green Frog
Lithobates clamitans
"Untitled" by krloucks
Where to Find: Common to freshwater ponds, lakes, and streams with vegetation. They are often positioned in the water, just off the land where aquatic vegetation is abundant. They startle easily and will dart into the water if approached too closely.
Key Characteristics: Individual's color can vary greatly, but vary between a combination of tan, green, olive, and brown. Belly is white, occasionally displaying dark spots and in males, throat is yellow. A ridge begins behind each eye and extends toward groin, gradually fading into a series of bumps. Tympanum is large, brown, and slightly elevated with a distinct light greenish circle in the center. Individuals are medium in size, growing to be 5.5-9.5 cm long.
Bullfrog
Rana catesbeiana
"Bullfrog" by Bill Bunn
Where to Find: These frogs are highly abundant in permanent bodies of fresh water located in a wide array of habitats. They can be found in ponds, lakes, and slow streams within prairies, woodlands, and urban areas. Like green frogs, they are usually found on the water's edge amongst aquatic vegetation.
Key Characteristics: Color is highly variable, ranging from green to light brown. Backs have scattered bumps and dark spots with no ridge. A ridge is present behind the tympanum, ending behind the top of the front leg. Tympanum is larger than the eye and is lighter toward the center, darkening outward. Bellies are light and range from gray to yellowish. They are the largest frogs in the country, reaching lengths between 9-15 cm.
Western Chorus Frog
Pseudacris triseriata
"Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)" by Sharon Watson
Where to Find: Habitats vary greatly, but during breeding, shallow bodies of fresh water are required. Individuals can be found in prairies, parks, and even urban areas with low pollution.
Key Characteristics: Individuals are tan and feature three bold, brown stripes down back. Center stripe begins at the snout and ends just above groin while the two other stripes begin behind the eye and end at the top of hind legs. Individual's sides also feature a large brown stripe which begin at the snout, pass through the eye, and end mid-belly. Upper lip is lighter than surrounding tissue. Belly is light and not heavily marked. Individuals are small, reaching lengths between 2-4 cm.
Gray Treefrog & Cope's Gray Treefrog
Hyla versicolor
"Hyla versicolor" by Jake Scott
Where to Find: Typically found in woodlands, clinging to branches, tree trunks, and the sides of man-made structures. Can be found close to bodies of water during the breeding season. Individuals are drawn to the lights of homes and buildings because of insect abundance at night. Become especially active at night after periods of precipitation.
"Hyla versicolor" by Ray Eaton
Hyla chrysocelis
"Cope's Gray Treefrog" by Kory Roberts
"Cope's Gray Treefrog" by Jake Schneider
Key Characteristics: While there are two distinct species, identifying one against the other is nearly impossible with the naked eye. Species identification requires an analysis of mating calls or examining chromosome numbers. Individuals of both species range in color from tan, gray, to bright green, changing colors when temperature, background, or level of activity varies. Most feature a bold, dark, branching splotch on back. Backs are bumpy. Below the eye there is an obvious lighter-colored patch of tissue. Underneath the hind legs, tissue is bright yellow and marked with dark spots. Individuals are medium-sized, growing to be 3.5-5.5 cm long.
Blanchard's Cricket Frog
Acris crepitans
"Blanchard's Cricket Frog" by Kory Roberts
Where to Find: Frequents edges of shallow, freshwater habitats including marshes, ponds, lakes, bogs, and streams. They can often be found in vegetation on the water's edge, but are easily startled and will quickly dart into the water when approached.
Key Characteristics: Color is a medium olive brown with a darker triangle shape between eyes. Some may have a thick, greenish stripe beginning at the snout and ending just above groin. Skin is warty and belly is pale. Individuals are small, growing to be 1.5-3.5 cm in length.
American Toad
Bufo americanus
"American Toad (Bufo americanus americanus) by Jake Scott
Where to Find: Found in a variety of habitats, including prairies, forests, agricultural fields, parks, and any other location where shallow water is available for breeding, and where food (insects, small invertebrates) are abundant. Become especially active before, during, and after precipitation.
Key Characteristics: Each dark spot on back features 1-2 warts. Skin is covered in round reddish warts. Body color ranges between rusty brown, tan-gray, and olive brown. Behind each eye, large and elevated parotoid glands are found. Belly is speckled with dark marks. Some individuals have a light stripe down the center of back. Individuals vary in size, but are usually medium-large, growing to be 5-10 cm long.
Audio Recordings: Lang, E., Gerhardt, C., & Davidson, C. (2009). The Frogs and Toads of North America [CD].
Species Accounts: Illinois Natural History Survey. (2017). INHS Amphibian and Reptile Collection
Illustrations & Species Accounts: Conant, R., & Collins, J. T. (1998). A Field Guide to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America (3rd ed). New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.