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Green frog

Lithobates clamitans · Frogs and toads · Amphibians

Green frog (Lithobates clamitans): Green, brownish or bronze (nearly black when cold) with dark spots. A straight ridge along each side of the back from behind the eye that does not reach the groin. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the green frog map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Scientific name
Lithobates clamitans
Family
Ranidae
In North America
Native
Range
Eastern United States and adjacent southeastern Canada. Introduced in Newfoundland, British Columbia, Washington and Utah.
Biology

How to identify it

Green, brownish or bronze (nearly black when cold) with dark spots. [1][2]

A straight ridge along each side of the back from behind the eye that does not reach the groin. [1][2]

Hind legs crossbanded; toe webbing does not reach the tip of the 5th toe. [1][2]

Male eardrum much larger than the eye, throat may be yellow; up to 10.8 cm. [1][2]

Compared with the american bullfrog: Lacks the dorsolateral ridges. [1][2]

Compared with the mink frog: Animal Diversity Web says the dorsolateral folds separate green frogs from mink frogs. [1][2]

Species it is confused with

Check these before deciding what you are looking at. If you are not certain what it is, do not shoot.

Field notes

  • Identification Confirm a green frog before you act. Compared with the american bullfrog: Lacks the dorsolateral ridges.[1][2]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

Almost any permanent or semi-permanent water and vernal pools. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Call is a single croak or series, like a plucked loose banjo string [1][2]

Males call mainly May-August in the north [1][2]

Often leaps into water with a 'squeenk' when approached [1][2]

Inactive in cold weather; many overwinter in small streams [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for legal take

These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Eastern United States and adjacent southeastern Canada. Introduced in Newfoundland, British Columbia, Washington and Utah.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe

  2. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology · reviewed 2026-09-30

    University of Michigan Museum of Zoology