Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)

Diet: insects

During the day this bright green native treefrog lies asleep on the underside of large leaves. When startled treefrogs leap wildly into the air, legs flying. Treefrog eggs are usually laid in seasonal ponds and marshes. Green treefrogs are
often called ‘cow-bell frogs,’ a reference to the cowbell-like ‘quaink’ call often heard in evening chorus. The much larger exotic Cuban treefrog competes for similar food and habitat and eats native treefrogs.

Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)

Oak hammock

Diet: insects, spiders, frogs

SPECIES ALERT! Exotic

Twice as large as our native green treefrog, the Cuban Treefrog thrives in developed areas where lights draw a steady source of insects. A fierce predator, this treefrog adversely affects native treefrog populations through competition for food and habitat and through direct predation. Cuban Treefrogs are eaten by aquatic snakes, garter snakes, and mammals.

Southern Leopard Frog (Rana urticularia)

Swamp, Marsh, River

Diet: insects

The leopard frog, often called the "grass frog" as it likes to rest in the grasses along the water's edge, is commonly seen in our area. To confuse predators such as raccoons, this frog will dive into the water, make a sharp turn while submerged, and surface amid vegetation at the edge of the bank. Scientists continue to investigate reasons for the dramatic decline in amphibian numbers such as habitat destruction, climate change, & disease.

Pig Frog (Rano grylio)

Swamp, Marsh, River

Diet: crayfish, small snakes, frogs

Named for its pig-like grunt, the pig frog is the most aquatic of the bullfrogs. A pointed snout, 4, greenish brown body, and yellow undersides and lower jaw identify the pig frog. With excellent hearing and vocalization skills this shy frog can easily capture prey and a mate under the cover of night. At night the low roar of a chorus of pig frogs can be heard throughout the marsh.

Southern Toad (Bufo terrestris)

Pine Flatwoods, Oak Hammock

Diet: insects, spiders, earthworms A fat, squatty toad often seen on roads on rainy nights looking for food, the southern toad is the most common toad in Florida. This toad occupies cool damp areas where it will dig down into the soil during the heat of the day. Toads have enlarged "paratoid" glands on each side of the neck that secrete an irritating poisonous mucus meant to discourage attacks from predators.