North American Green Frog

Lithobates clamitans — Ranidae

2.25–3.5 inches

IUCN

Least Concern

Federal (US)

None

Virginia

None

VWAP Tier

Not Listed

Habitat

aquaticsemi-aquaticriparian

Found in Virginia

Statewide

How to identify

Medium size, 2.25–3.5 inches
Green, olive, or bronze above, often mottled
Two prominent dorsolateral ridges running down the back — key distinction from bullfrog
Tympanum roughly equal to eye size in both sexes
White or yellowish belly

About this species

One of Virginia's most commonly encountered frogs, the green frog is found at the edge of nearly every pond, stream, and lake in the state. Their 'loose banjo string' or 'boing' call is one of the most characteristic summer sounds near water. Green frogs closely resemble bullfrogs but are noticeably smaller and have distinctive dorsolateral ridges.

Often confused with

North American Bullfrog

Bullfrogs are larger and lack dorsolateral ridges; green frogs have two distinct ridges running down the back

Pickerel Frog

Pickerel frogs have square or rectangular dark spots arranged in two rows and a yellow or orange groin; green frogs are more uniformly colored

Did you know

"Green frogs can change color somewhat based on temperature and light — the same individual may appear bright green on a warm sunny day and olive-brown in cooler conditions."

Sightings & citizen science

Help document Virginia wildlife by logging your sightings on iNaturalist. Every observation builds the conservation data that researchers and rehabbers depend on.

View North American Green Frog observations on iNaturalist ↗

Found one injured?

If you've found an injured or displaced North American Green Frog in Virginia, our triage guide walks you through what to do.

Triage guide →