Often confused with leopard frogs but distinguishable by paired square spots and a yellow-orange wash on the inner thighs. Their skin secretions are toxic enough that other frogs caged with them often die.

Native status: Native to eastern North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody length 4–8 cm
Weight10–35 g
LifespanWild 4–5 years
OrderAnura
FamilyRanidae

§ Encyclopedia

The pickerel frog is a small North American frog, characterized by the appearance of seemingly "hand-drawn" squares on its dorsal surface.

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

§ Identification

Field marks. Medium-sized brown frog with bright yellow-green dorsolateral ridges; large dark brown square or rectangular spots arranged in two rows; bright yellow flanks visible in flight.

Similar species. Northern Leopard Frog (round spots). Plains Leopard Frog (round spots). Wood Frog (no rows of spots, dark mask).

Voice. Snore-like "low rumble" lasting 2–3 seconds.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects, spiders, small crustaceans, occasional small vertebrates.

Behavior. Inhabits cool streams and ponds across eastern North America. Distinctive prominent square-shaped dark spots and toxic skin secretions distinguish it from related leopard frogs. Skin produces irritating compounds that deter many predators; toxic enough that snake predators must learn to avoid them after first encounter. Population stable across most of range.

§ Range

Eastern US from Maine to Texas

§ Habitat

Cool clean streams, springs, sphagnum bogs

§ Threats

Stream pollution, sediment runoff, pesticides, pH changes from acid mine drainage.

§ Conservation status

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

§ What helps

Reduce sediment runoff from construction. Maintain forested stream buffers. Support clean water enforcement.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • AmphibiaWeb
  • USGS PWRC
  • Davidson College Herpetology Lab
  • IUCN Red List 2014