Delaware’s small size doesn’t mean few frogs; its coastal plains host a surprising variety of species. The keyword “frogs found in delaware” might make you think of just a couple common ones, but the First State actually has over a dozen native frog species. From the coastal marshes to the inland forests, these amphibians thrive in hidden pockets across the state.
You don’t need to be a biologist to spot them. With a little know-how, you can identify most frogs found in delaware by their calls, colors, and habitats. This guide covers every species you’re likely to encounter, plus tips for finding them yourself.
Frogs Found In Delaware: A Complete Species Guide
Delaware’s frog population breaks down into three main groups: treefrogs, true frogs, and toads. Each group has unique traits that help them survive in different environments. Let’s start with the most common ones you’ll see near ponds and wetlands.
Green Frog (Lithobates Clamitans)
The green frog is one of the most widespread frogs found in delaware. You’ll hear its banjo-like “plunk” call near almost any permanent water source. These frogs are medium-sized, usually 2 to 4 inches long, with a green or brownish body and distinct ridges down their backs.
- Habitat: Ponds, lakes, slow streams
- Call: Single note like a loose banjo string
- Active: April through October
- Distinctive feature: Ridge lines that run from eye to back
Bullfrog (Lithobates Catesbeianus)
Bullfrogs are the giants of Delaware’s frog world. They can reach 8 inches long and weigh over a pound. Their deep “jug-o-rum” call carries across ponds on summer nights. These frogs are ambush predators that will eat almost anything they can fit in their mouths, including small birds and other frogs.
- Habitat: Large permanent ponds and lakes
- Call: Deep, resonant “br-rum”
- Active: Late April to August
- Distinctive feature: No ridge lines on back, large eardrum behind eye
Pickerel Frog (Lithobates Palustris)
Pickerel frogs look similar to leopard frogs but have square-shaped spots arranged in rows. They also produce a toxic skin secretion that makes them unpalatable to predators. You’ll find them in cooler, clearer water than most other frogs found in delaware.
- Habitat: Cold streams, spring seeps, woodland ponds
- Call: Low, snoring sound
- Active: March to October
- Distinctive feature: Square spots in parallel rows, bright yellow on inner thighs
Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates Pipiens)
These spotted frogs are becoming less common in Delaware due to habitat loss. They have round, dark spots on a green or brown background. Their call sounds like a slow, creaking chuckle. You might see them leap into water from grassy banks when approached.
- Habitat: Grassy meadows near ponds and marshes
- Call: Low, guttural chuckle lasting 3-5 seconds
- Active: March to November
- Distinctive feature: Round spots with light borders, pointed snout
Wood Frog (Lithobates Sylvaticus)
Wood frogs are early breeders, often calling in late February or early March while ice still lingers on ponds. They have a dark “robber’s mask” across their eyes. These frogs can survive being partially frozen in winter by producing natural antifreeze in their blood.
- Habitat: Woodland vernal pools and forested wetlands
- Call: Quacking sound like a duck
- Active: February to April (breeding), then in forest until October
- Distinctive feature: Dark mask across eyes, brown body
Spring Peeper (Pseudacris Crucifer)
Spring peepers are tiny frogs, barely an inch long, but their calls are surprisingly loud. They signal the arrival of spring with their high-pitched “peep” chorus. Despite their small size, they are one of the most numerous frogs found in delaware.
- Habitat: Wooded wetlands, swamps, and ponds
- Call: Single high-pitched peep repeated rapidly
- Active: February to May (breeding), then in forest
- Distinctive feature: X-shaped mark on back, tiny size
Gray Treefrog (Hyla Versicolor)
Gray treefrogs are masters of camouflage. They can change color from gray to green to brown to match their surroundings. Their trilling call is a common sound in summer evenings near wooded ponds. They have large toe pads that let them climb smooth surfaces.
- Habitat: Woodlands near ponds, also in gardens and around houses
- Call: Musical trill lasting 1-3 seconds
- Active: April to October
- Distinctive feature: Bright yellow-orange on inner thighs, large toe pads
Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla Chrysoscelis)
This species looks identical to the gray treefrog but has a faster, harsher trill. You need to hear the call to tell them apart. Both species occur in Delaware, sometimes in the same ponds. Cope’s gray treefrog is slightly smaller and has a different chromosome count.
- Habitat: Same as gray treefrog
- Call: Faster, more nasal trill
- Active: April to October
- Distinctive feature: Almost identical to gray treefrog; call is only reliable way to distinguish
American Toad (Anaxyrus Americanus)
Toads are technically frogs, and the American toad is the most common one in Delaware. It has warty skin, short legs for hopping, and a long trilling call. These toads are often found in gardens and yards, especially after rain. They secrete a mild toxin that irritates pets’ mouths.
- Habitat: Gardens, fields, forests, anywhere with moist soil
- Call: Long, high-pitched trill lasting 10-30 seconds
- Active: March to November
- Distinctive feature: Warty skin, two large bumps on head (parotoid glands)
Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus Fowleri)
Fowler’s toad looks similar to the American toad but has more spots and a shorter, lower-pitched call. It prefers sandier soils and is more common in coastal areas of Delaware. The call sounds like a sheep’s bleat or a crying baby.
- Habitat: Sandy areas near beaches, dunes, and coastal plains
- Call: Short, harsh “waaah” lasting 1-4 seconds
- Active: April to September
- Distinctive feature: Three or more warts per dark spot, unspotted belly
Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus Holbrookii)
Despite its name, the spadefoot is actually a true frog, not a toad. It has smooth skin and vertical pupils like a cat. It gets its name from the hard, spade-like growth on its hind feet used for digging. These frogs are rarely seen because they spend most of their time underground.
- Habitat: Sandy or loose soils near temporary ponds
- Call: Short, explosive “waaack”
- Active: March to October, but only emerges after heavy rain
- Distinctive feature: Vertical pupils, smooth skin, spade on hind foot
Southern Leopard Frog (Lithobates Sphenocephalus)
This species is similar to the northern leopard frog but has a more pointed snout and a distinct light spot on its eardrum. It’s more common in southern Delaware near the coast. Its call is a short, guttural chuckle that lasts about 2 seconds.
- Habitat: Marshes, swamps, and grassy ponds
- Call: Short chuckle, similar to northern leopard frog but faster
- Active: March to November
- Distinctive feature: Light spot on eardrum, pointed snout
Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris Feriarum)
This small frog looks similar to the spring peeper but lacks the X-shaped mark on its back. It has three dark stripes down its back instead. Its call sounds like running a fingernail across a fine-toothed comb. It’s found in the northern part of Delaware.
- Habitat: Wooded wetlands and grassy swales
- Call: Raspy, rising trill
- Active: February to April
- Distinctive feature: Three dark stripes on back, no X-mark
New Jersey Chorus Frog (Pseudacris Kalmi)
This species was recently split from the upland chorus frog. It looks almost identical but has a slightly different call and range. In Delaware, it’s found in the southern coastal plain. The call is a slower, more musical trill than the upland chorus frog.
- Habitat: Coastal plain wetlands and pine savannas
- Call: Slower, more musical trill
- Active: February to April
- Distinctive feature: Nearly identical to upland chorus frog; range and call distinguish them
Cricket Frog (Acris Crepitans)
Cricket frogs are tiny, about 1 inch long, with rough, warty skin. They get their name from their call, which sounds like two pebbles being clicked together. They are often seen basking on mud banks or floating vegetation. They jump in a zigzag pattern when startled.
- Habitat: Edges of ponds, streams, and ditches
- Call: Clicking sound like pebbles hitting each other
- Active: April to October
- Distinctive feature: Tiny size, rough skin, dark triangle between eyes
Eastern Narrow-Mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne Carolinensis)
This odd-looking frog has a pointed snout and a fold of skin across its head. It’s actually a frog, not a toad, despite its name. Its call sounds like a high-pitched, buzzy “beeeeee.” It feeds almost exclusively on ants and other small insects.
- Habitat: Moist areas under logs and leaf litter near ponds
- Call: Long, buzzy note lasting 2-5 seconds
- Active: April to September
- Distinctive feature: Pointed snout, skin fold across head, tiny mouth
Where To Find Frogs In Delaware
Now that you know the species, here’s where to look for them. Different frogs prefer different habitats, so location matters. Here are the best spots across the state.
Northern Delaware: Piedmont Region
The northern part of the state has more hills and forests. Look for wood frogs and spring peepers in vernal pools from February to April. White Clay Creek State Park and Brandywine Creek State Park are excellent spots. You’ll also find green frogs and bullfrogs in the larger ponds.
Central Delaware: Transition Zone
This area mixes farmland with wetlands. Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is a prime location for leopard frogs and pickerel frogs. The refuge has boardwalks that let you get close to the marshes without disturbing the frogs.
Southern Delaware: Coastal Plain
The coastal plain has sandy soils and many temporary ponds. This is where you’ll find spadefoot toads and cricket frogs. Cape Henlopen State Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge are great choices. Listen for gray treefrogs calling from trees near the ponds.
When To Look For Frogs In Delaware
Timing is everything when frog watching. Here’s a seasonal breakdown of when each species is most active.
Late Winter To Early Spring (February-April)
- Wood frogs: First to call, often in late February
- Spring peepers: Start calling in March
- Chorus frogs: Active in March and April
- Spadefoot toads: Emerge after heavy rains
Late Spring To Summer (May-August)
- Green frogs: Call throughout summer
- Bullfrogs: Most vocal in June and July
- Gray treefrogs: Call on warm, humid nights
- Cricket frogs: Active during the day near water
Fall (September-October)
- Green frogs: Still active until October
- Leopard frogs: Active until first frost
- American toads: Active until November
How To Identify Frogs By Sound
Learning frog calls is the easiest way to identify them. Here’s a quick reference guide to the most common calls.
- Spring peeper: High-pitched “peep” repeated every second
- American toad: Long, musical trill lasting 10-30 seconds
- Gray treefrog: Short, melodic trill lasting 1-3 seconds
- Green frog: Single “plunk” like a loose banjo string
- Bullfrog: Deep “jug-o-rum” that carries across water
- Wood frog: Quacking sound like a duck
- Cricket frog: Clicking sound like pebbles hitting
- Pickerel frog: Low, snoring sound
Tips For Observing Frogs Safely
Frogs are sensitive to handling and habitat disturbance. Follow these guidelines to protect them and yourself.
- Wash your hands before handling frogs to avoid transferring oils or chemicals
- Wet your hands first to prevent damaging their skin
- Handle frogs gently and for the shortest time possible
- Return frogs to the exact spot where you found them
- Never use insect repellent on your hands before handling
- Avoid touching your eyes or mouth after handling frogs
- Some frogs secrete toxins; wash hands thoroughly afterward
Conservation Status Of Delaware Frogs
Most frogs found in delaware are stable, but a few face challenges. Habitat loss from development and road mortality are the biggest threats. Climate change is also affecting breeding patterns, with some species calling earlier in the year.
The northern leopard frog has declined significantly in Delaware. It’s now considered a species of concern. The eastern spadefoot toad is also less common than it used to be. You can help by reporting sightings to the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common frog in Delaware?
The green frog is probably the most common frog you’ll see. It’s found in almost every permanent water body across the state. The American toad is also very common in yards and gardens.
Are there poisonous frogs in Delaware?
No frogs in Delaware are dangerously poisonous to humans. Some species, like the pickerel frog and American toad, secrete mild toxins that can irritate skin or cause pets to drool. But they won’t kill you.
When do frogs start calling in Delaware?
Wood frogs and spring peepers start calling as early as late February in warm years. Most species begin calling by mid-March. The peak calling season is April through June.
Can you keep wild frogs as pets in Delaware?
It’s legal to keep most native frog species as pets in Delaware, but you need a fishing license to collect them. It’s better to observe them in the wild and leave them there. Captive frogs often don’t survive well.
What eats frogs in Delaware?
Frogs have many predators including snakes, herons, raccoons, foxes, and larger frogs like bullfrogs. Fish also eat tadpoles and small frogs. This is why frogs lay so many eggs.
Final Thoughts On Delaware Frogs
Delaware may be small, but it’s packed with frog diversity. From the tiny spring peeper to the massive bullfrog, each species plays a role in the ecosystem. Next time you’re near a pond, stop and listen. You might be surprised by how many frogs found in delaware are calling right around you.
Grab a flashlight, a field guide, and head