Minnesota Amphibians

Green frog (Lithobates clamitans) is a mid-sized true frog, the second largest frog in Minnesota after only the American bullfrog. It is common throughout the eastern United States, less common in Minnesota where it is at the western edge of its range. It is an aquatic frog, found in large marshes, streams, deep ponds, larger lakes, and roadside ditches.

Green frogs are often seen on a shore within one quick leap to a body of water. They hunt by sitting still and waiting for prey to cross their path. The mating call can be heard from May through July. It is usually described as the sound of plucking a loose banjo string, “plunk”. The call is a single note but is often repeated. No other frogs in Minnesota sound similar.

Green frog is distinguished by the large size; the prominent back ridges (dorsolateral folds); and the fourth toe on the hind foot, which is not webbed beyond the second joint.

Eastern tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum) is the largest terrestrial salamander in Minnesota. Adults are usually 6¾″ to 8⅝″ in length but have been found as much as 13¾″ long. It is common throughout the state except in the arrowhead region, where it has not been recorded after 1960. It is found in prairies, woodlands, agricultural and residential areas – pretty much everywhere. It is a voracious feeder, eating any animal small enough to be captured and swallowed.

Like all salamanders, eastern tiger salamander is rarely encountered by humans. It is occasionally found in window wells and damp basements, and is sometimes seen above ground at night during and after a rainfall in the spring breeding season.

Photo by Bill Reynolds

Photo by Bill Reynolds

Photo by Bill Reynolds

pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris)

Canadian toad (Anaxyrus hemiophrys)

Great Plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus)

mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus)

eastern red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

four-toed salamander (Hemidactylium scutatum)

Photo by Jeff LeClere