Amphibian Identification Query

September 24, 2008 8:38 PM

Can anyone identify this little tan frog I found at my grandparents' house in New Hampshire? It was approximately 1"-2" long. Many thanks!
posted by ktoad to pets & animals (10 comments total)

He (er, she?) looks like a light tan Wood Frog.
posted by HopperFan at 8:50 PM on September 24, 2008

"The wood frog is around three inches in length and is brown, rusty red, gray, or tan and it has bumpy skin. Its most recognizable feature is the black mask on its face that is often called a 'robber's mask.'"
posted by HopperFan at 8:51 PM on September 24, 2008

I don't know what kind of frog it is, but it looks just like my little friend from New Hampshire. (For reference, the opening of the reed that he's in is about 1.5" in diameter. I found him in the White Mountains).
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 8:58 PM on September 24, 2008

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peeper

Casting my vote for a type of peeper.
posted by demon666 at 9:38 PM on September 24, 2008

According to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, there are ten native frog species in the state. This page has photos of the options. Based on the possibilities there, I'm with demon666 in thinking that it's a Peeper. Specifically, I think that it is a Spring Peeper (Pseudacris c. crucifer). See the photo here for an example that is pretty similar to the frog in your photo.
posted by nobodyyouknow at 12:29 AM on September 25, 2008

Definitely not a wood frog; almost certainly a spring peeper.
posted by mcwetboy at 3:03 AM on September 25, 2008

nthing spring peeper. that's a great identification photo ktoad (um .. k-toad?) you even can see the little nubs on it's feet.
posted by lester at 6:32 AM on September 25, 2008

I saw the Peepers, too, but yours didn't look like it had the "identifying X" on its back? Anyway, it's a lovely little frog.
posted by HopperFan at 7:03 AM on September 25, 2008

him name is hopkin brown frog.
posted by snofoam at 11:08 AM on September 25, 2008

Well, I must graciously accept defeat. [grin] I just got this reply from Dr. Patrick Owen, herpetologist and professor at Ohio Stae:

"Hi,

I think that the frog in your photo actually is a spring peeper. Coloration is not the most reliable way to identify frogs. If you look closely at the toes, there are toe pads which is indicative of it being in the treefrog family. Wood frogs do not have toe pads. At different temperatures coloration can change, and I think that is probably why the "X" marking does not show up very clearly in the photo."
posted by HopperFan at 12:19 PM on September 25, 2008