A small but vocally massive frog — their "krek-ek" calls are the iconic frog sounds in nearly every Hollywood movie, including ones set thousands of miles outside their range.

Also called: Pacific Chorus Frog, Pacific Tree Frog

Native status: Native; Pacific Coast

§ Quick facts

SizeAdults 2–5 cm (0.75–2 in) — among the smallest US frogs
Weight1–8 g
LifespanWild typically 7–9 years
OrderAnura
FamilyHylidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Pacific tree frog, also known as the Pacific chorus frog, has a range spanning the Pacific Northwest, from Northern California, Oregon, and Washington to British Columbia in Canada and extreme southern Alaska. They live from sea level to more than 10,000 feet in many types of habitats, reproducing in aquatic settings. They occur in shades of greens or browns and can change colors over periods of hours and weeks.

Source: Wikipedia — Pacific tree frog Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small frog with smooth skin in variable green, bronze, gray, or brown; distinctive dark eye stripe from nostril past ear; round adhesive toe pads.

Similar species. Sierran Tree Frog (split from Pacific Chorus Frog 2006 — interior California). Other treefrogs lack the dark eye stripe.

Voice. Loud "kreck-eck" — the classic Hollywood "ribbit" used in nearly all film and television frog sound effects, regardless of geographic setting.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small insects, spiders, isopods, slugs.

Behavior. The "frog you hear in every movie" — the iconic "ribbit" call is recorded almost exclusively from Pacific Chorus Frogs. Found from southern British Columbia to Baja California — by far the most abundant amphibian across most of the Pacific states. Can change color from green to bronze to gray over hours, depending on humidity, temperature, and background.

§ Range

Pacific coast from British Columbia to Baja California

§ Habitat

Backyard ponds, streams, grasslands, forest edges

§ Threats

Chytrid fungus disease, stream pollution, climate-driven drought.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the pacific chorus frog is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Build a backyard pond. Reduce pesticides. Don't move amphibians between regions (disease spread).

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • AmphibiaWeb
  • USGS PWRC Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative
  • IUCN Red List 2014