Discover 8 Types of Frogs on The Mississippi River

The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in North America, just one mile shorter than the Missouri River. The Mississippi River flows 2,340 miles south from Lake Itasca in Northern Minnesota and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It has the largest drainage basin in the United States, with tributaries in 32 of the lower 48 states and two Canadian provinces. Approximately 70 million people live within the Mississippi River’s watershed, of which 20 million depend on the river basin for drinking water. The Mississippi River is home to over 870 species of fish and wildlife, including 241 fish species, 325 bird species that use it as a migration corridor, 50 mammal species, and at least 36 frog species. Continue reading to learn about eight frog species that live along the Mississippi River.

8. Spring Peeper

The Eastern United States and Canada are home to the small chorus frog known as the spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer). They measure 0.75 to 1.5 inches long and weigh 0.11 to 0.18 ounces. The habitat of the Southern spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer bartramiana) in the United States spans the Gulf Coast from Southeast Texas to Southeast Georgia and Northern Florida. Its northern counterpart, the Northern spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer), is found throughout the Eastern United States and Eastern Canada. Therefore, spring peepers are found throughout all the States the Mississippi River borders or passes through.

7. Boreal Chorus Frog

The boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata) is found in parts of Western Wisconsin, Montana, Northeastern Arizona, Northern New Mexico,  and Southwestern Utah. This species of frog typically has three dorsal stripes that range in intensity. Because of its expanded toe pads, it can climb short grasses and vegetation. These frogs measure 0.75 to 1.5 inches long and weigh less than an ounce.

6. Cope’s Gray Treefrog

Cope’s gray treefrog (Dryophytes chrysoscelis) measures 1.25 to 2.25 inches long and weighs approximately 0.25 ounces. These treefrogs can be distinguished from other treefrogs by the vivid orange to yellow spots on their black-marked hind legs. Their bright-yellow pattern, usually concealed, is revealed as the frog leaps. This flash of color can startle predators. They can be found as far north as Minnesota, although the Southeast is where they are most commonly found.

5. Gray Treefrog

The gray treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor) can change its color to camouflage with the surface it is sitting on. Because they are not always gray, these frogs are very hard to spot. Depending on their habitat and activity, their color can range from gray to green or brown. They often change color to blend in with tree bark. These treefrogs also measure 1.25 to 2.25 inches long and weigh around 0.25 ounces.

4. Wood Frog

Because of its terrestrial habitat, ability to withstand freezing temperatures, and long-distance migrations, the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus or Rana sylvatica) has attracted significant scientific attention in the past century. The wood frog’s ability to survive a whole body freeze, where all vital signs cease and then resume after the frog thaws, has been the subject of scientific research. Researchers are working to adapt the wood frog’s cryoprotective agents to human cells, tissues, and organs. These frogs measure up to 3 inches long and weigh 0.3 to 0.5 ounces. Wood frogs have natural camouflage because of their coloration, especially in wooded areas. They are found along the upper and middle portions of the Mississippi River.

3. Northern Leopard Frog

Parts of Canada and the United States are home to the Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens, formerly Rana pipiens), a species of true frog, and the official amphibian of Vermont and Minnesota. A fairly large frog species, they measure 2 to 4.5 inches long and weigh 0.5 to 2.82 ounces. The two most common color morphs of the northern leopard frog are green and brown.

2. Northern Green Frog

Northeastern North America is home to the Northern green frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota), a subspecies of the green frog. Green frogs are known for their striking green hue. They are typically light green, but sometimes appear muddy, resembling bullfrogs. These frogs measure 2 to 4 inches long and weigh 1 to 3 ounces.

1. American Bullfrog

The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is a large true frog native to Eastern North America, often referred to as the bullfrog in Canada and the United States. They measure 6 to 8 inches long and weigh 1 to 2 pounds. Bullfrogs can be various colors, from green to olive-brown. They often have a white to yellow belly, while their legs are typically dark.