Ohio Frog and Toad Calling Survey

Northern Green Frog

(Rana clamitans melanota)

Distribution of the Northern Green Frog in Ohio.

An adult Northern Green Frog.

Species Description:   Adult Green Frogs attain a snout-vent length of 5.5 to 9 cm (2 1/4 to 3 1/2 inches).  The ground color is green or brownish-green.  Where the green back and sides fade into the white belly and chest there may be some black mottling.  Some individuals may have light gray mottling on the chest.  The most prominent feature is the pair of dosolateral folds extending from behind the tympanic membranes to just beyond half way down the back.  The male’s single vocal sac is internal.  When it calls, the throat swells, but the vocal sac is not visible.  
Habitat: Green Frogs inhabit most aquatic environments.  
Reproductive Activity: Calling starts at the beginning of May and continues into August.  The call is a single, one syllable “gungk”.  It is often described as the sound made by plucking a loose banjo string.  
Ohio Distribution: Walker (1946) described this species as occurring throughout the state except on the Lake Erie Islands.  The Green Frog has since been collected on the islands.  
Status: The Green Frog is one of the most common anuran species in Ohio.  Sufficient field efforts would probably result in Green Frogs being found in every county and township.
Photographic Recommendations: Any photograph of the Green Frog must include a view of the prominent dorsolateral folds.  If they cannot be seen in the photograph, it can be difficult to distinguish this species from a Bullfrog.

Last modified:
Saturday, March 26, 2005

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