In “A Guide to Identifying 18 Common Amphibians in Oklahoma,” readers will find a comprehensive resource for identifying various amphibian species found within the state. This guide serves as a handy reference filled with detailed descriptions of each amphibian, including their distinguishing characteristics, preferred habitats, and interesting facts. The species covered range from the majestic American Bullfrog to the tiny Spring Peeper, providing a diverse selection of amphibians to explore. With the inclusion of vibrant photos and helpful range maps, this guide is a valuable tool for nature enthusiasts and those curious about Oklahoma’s amphibian biodiversity.

American Bullfrog

Identifying Characteristics

The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is the largest frog species in North America, measuring up to 8 inches in length. It has a stout body with a green or brown coloration, often with darker spots or blotches. The bullfrog has a large head with prominent tympani, or eardrums, on both sides. Males have a yellow throat, while females have a white throat.

Habitat

American Bullfrogs can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes. They prefer areas with abundant vegetation and floating debris where they can find cover and ambush their prey.

Range

The American Bullfrog is native to the eastern and central parts of North America, including Oklahoma. However, due to their popularity as pets and for food, they have been introduced to other parts of the world, including Europe and South America.

Interesting Facts

• American Bullfrogs are known for their loud and deep croaking call, which can be heard up to a mile away.
• They are opportunistic predators and will eat anything they can fit in their mouth, including insects, small fish, birds, and even other frogs.
• Bullfrogs have powerful hind legs, which allow them to jump long distances and swim with great agility.
• They have a lifespan of up to 7 to 10 years in the wild.

Green Frog

Identifying Characteristics

The Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) is a medium-sized frog species with a length ranging from 2.5 to 4 inches. It has a green, gray, or brown coloration with dark spots or blotches on its back, which can vary in pattern and intensity. The green frog has a distinct ridge of skin, called a dorsolateral fold, running along both sides of its body.

Habitat

Green Frogs are found in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and ample sunlight, as they are primarily diurnal and rely on sunlight for thermoregulation.

Range

The Green Frog is native to the eastern United States and parts of Canada. In Oklahoma, they are commonly found throughout the state, especially in wetland habitats.

Interesting Facts

• Green Frogs are known for their deep and resonant “gunk” call, which resembles the sound of a plucked banjo string.
• They are voracious predators and feed on a variety of aquatic invertebrates, small fish, and even other frogs.
• The tadpoles of Green Frogs have a unique adaptation called “cranial armor,” which helps protect their vulnerable heads from predation.
• These frogs have a lifespan of up to 5 to 10 years in the wild.

Spring Peeper

Identifying Characteristics

The Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is a small tree frog species, measuring only about 1.2 inches in length. It has a tan or brown coloration with a dark “X”-shaped marking on its back, which gives it its scientific name “crucifer,” meaning cross-bearer.

Habitat

Spring Peepers are found in a variety of habitats, including deciduous forests, swamps, marshes, and wooded wetlands. They are primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and shrubs, away from predators.

Range

Spring Peepers are native to the eastern United States and can be found in Oklahoma. They are very common throughout their range and are often heard rather than seen due to their small size and excellent camouflage.

Interesting Facts

• Spring Peepers are known for their loud and distinctive peeping call, which is heard during the spring breeding season.
• Despite their small size, male Spring Peepers can produce a call that is up to 100 decibels, making it one of the loudest frog calls in North America.
• They have a unique adhesive pad on the tip of each toe, which allows them to climb and stick to various surfaces.
• Spring Peepers have a lifespan of up to 3 to 5 years in the wild.

Gray Treefrog

Identifying Characteristics

The Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) is a small to medium-sized tree frog species, measuring about 2 to 2.5 inches in length. It has a gray or greenish-gray coloration with variable markings and patterns that can change depending on the temperature and the frog’s surroundings.

Habitat

Gray Treefrogs can be found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, swamps, and suburban areas with lots of trees and shrubs. They are primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and bushes.

Range

The Gray Treefrog is native to the eastern and central parts of the United States, including Oklahoma. They are commonly found in wooded areas where they can blend in with their surroundings.

Interesting Facts

• Gray Treefrogs are known for their ability to change color, ranging from gray to green, depending on the temperature and their surroundings.
• They have a unique adaptation called toe pads, which allow them to climb and stick to various surfaces, including glass windows.
• Gray Treefrogs are nocturnal and are most active during the night when they hunt for insects.
• They have a lifespan of up to 5 to 8 years in the wild.

Pickerel Frog

Identifying Characteristics

The Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris) is a medium-sized frog species, measuring about 2 to 3 inches in length. It has a dark brown or greenish-brown coloration with square or rectangular spots on its back, resembling the pattern of a pickerel fish.

Habitat

Pickerel Frogs are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including wet meadows, marshes, ponds, and stream edges. They prefer areas with dense vegetation and shallow water.

Range

The Pickerel Frog is native to the eastern and central parts of North America, including Oklahoma. They are commonly found throughout the state and are often associated with aquatic habitats.

Interesting Facts

• Pickerel Frogs are known for their distinctive call, which resembles the sound produced by running a fingernail along the teeth of a comb.
• They are primarily diurnal and are often seen basking in the sun on rocks or vegetation.
• Despite their small size, Pickerel Frogs are excellent jumpers and can cover a distance of up to 3 feet in a single leap.
• They have a lifespan of up to 4 to 6 years in the wild.

Western Chorus Frog

Identifying Characteristics

The Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) is a small tree frog species, measuring about 1 to 1.5 inches in length. It has a tan or gray coloration with three dark stripes running along its back, which give it its scientific name “triseriata,” meaning three-striped.

Habitat

Western Chorus Frogs can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, prairies, marshes, and grasslands. They are primarily terrestrial but rely on nearby wetlands for breeding.

Range

The Western Chorus Frog is native to the central and eastern parts of North America, including parts of Oklahoma. They are commonly found throughout their range and are often associated with grassy habitats.

Interesting Facts

• Western Chorus Frogs are known for their high-pitched and repetitive “crick, crick, crick” call, which resembles the sound produced by running a fingernail along a plastic comb.
• They have a unique adaptation called toe pads, which allow them to climb and stick to various surfaces, including vertical grass blades.
• Western Chorus Frogs are highly vocal during the breeding season and form choruses with other frogs.
• They have a lifespan of up to 3 to 5 years in the wild.

American Green Treefrog

Identifying Characteristics

The American Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea) is a small to medium-sized tree frog species, measuring about 1.5 to 2.5 inches in length. It has a bright green coloration with white or cream-colored stripes or blotches on its back and sides.

Habitat

American Green Treefrogs can be found in a variety of habitats, including wetlands, swamps, marshes, and forests. They are primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in trees and shrubs near water sources.

Range

The American Green Treefrog is native to the southeastern United States and can be found in parts of Oklahoma. They are commonly found in areas with high humidity and abundant vegetation.

Interesting Facts

• American Green Treefrogs are known for their loud and distinctive “queenk” call, which resembles the sound produced by squeezing a rubber duck toy.
• They have a unique adaptation called toe pads, which allow them to climb and stick to various surfaces, including glass windows.
• These frogs have a lifespan of up to 4 to 5 years in the wild.
• American Green Treefrogs are often used as ambassadors for conservation efforts due to their charming appearance and widespread popularity as pets.

American Toad

Identifying Characteristics

The American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) is a medium-sized toad species, measuring about 2 to 3.5 inches in length. It has a bumpy and warty skin with a brown, gray, or olive coloration. The American Toad has large parotoid glands behind the eyes, which secrete toxic substances as a defense mechanism.

Habitat

American Toads can be found in a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, deserts, and suburban areas. They are primarily terrestrial but rely on nearby water sources for breeding.

Range

The American Toad is native to the eastern and central parts of North America, including Oklahoma. They are commonly found throughout the state and are often associated with areas near water.

Interesting Facts

• American Toads are known for their iconic “trill” call, which resembles the sound produced by running a finger along the teeth of a comb.
• They have a unique adaptation called “Bufotoxin,” which is a toxic substance secreted by their parotoid glands. This helps deter predators from attacking them.
• American Toads are nocturnal and are most active during the night when they hunt for insects and other small invertebrates.
• They have a lifespan of up to 10 to 15 years in the wild.

Great Plains Toad

Identifying Characteristics

The Great Plains Toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) is a medium-sized toad species, measuring about 2.5 to 4 inches in length. It has a bumpy and warty skin with a brown or green coloration, often with dark blotches or spots. The Great Plains Toad has large parotoid glands behind the eyes, which secrete toxic substances as a defense mechanism.

Habitat

Great Plains Toads can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, prairies, woodlands, and urban areas. They are primarily terrestrial but rely on nearby water sources for breeding.

Range

The Great Plains Toad is native to the central and western parts of North America, including parts of Oklahoma. They are commonly found in dry grasslands and prairies.

Interesting Facts

• Great Plains Toads are known for their distinctive “long, drawn-out waaah” call, which resembles the sound produced by a high-pitched saxophone.
• They have a unique adaptation called “Bufotoxin,” which is a toxic substance secreted by their parotoid glands. This helps deter predators from attacking them.
• Great Plains Toads are highly adapted to arid environments and can tolerate high temperatures and low moisture conditions.
• They have a lifespan of up to 5 to 8 years in the wild.

Eastern Newt

Identifying Characteristics

The Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is a small, semi-aquatic salamander species, measuring about 2.5 to 4 inches in length. It has a bright orange or yellow coloration with dark spots or blotches on its back and sides. The Eastern Newt has a distinct “eft” stage, where it has a terrestrial lifestyle and a bright orange coloration.

Habitat

Eastern Newts can be found in a variety of habitats, including ponds, streams, lakes, and wetlands. They spend most of their time in the water as aquatic larvae or adults, but undergo a remarkable transformation during their eft stage, where they become terrestrial.

Range

The Eastern Newt is native to eastern North America, including Oklahoma. They are commonly found in forested areas with nearby water sources.

Interesting Facts

• Eastern Newts have a unique lifecycle, which consists of three stages: aquatic larvae, terrestrial eft, and aquatic adult. This remarkable transformation allows them to adapt to different environments throughout their life.
• They have a toxic skin secretion, which helps deter predators from attacking them. However, this toxin is harmless to humans.
• Eastern Newts are highly adapted to regenerating lost limbs and body parts. They can regenerate their legs, tails, spinal cords, and even parts of their heart and brain.
• They have a lifespan of up to 12 to 15 years in the wild.

In conclusion, Oklahoma is home to a diverse array of amphibian species, each with its own unique set of identifying characteristics, habitat preferences, range, and interesting facts. From the large and powerful American Bullfrog to the small and colorful Eastern Newt, these amphibians play an important role in the state’s ecosystems. As secretive and shy creatures, they can be challenging to locate, but with the help of this comprehensive ID guide, amphibian enthusiasts can learn more about the fascinating world of Oklahoma’s amphibians. Whether it’s the loud and distinctive calls of the Spring Peeper or the unique ability of the Gray Treefrog to change its color, there is always something interesting to discover about these incredible creatures. So grab your binoculars, boots, and enthusiasm, and embark on an amphibian adventure in the beautiful state of Oklahoma.