Frogs are fascinating creatures and finding them in their natural habitat can be a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to learn about the different species. If you happen to live in Pennsylvania, you’re in luck. There are several species of frog in your area that you can find. If you like learning about frogs and would like to know more about the ones that reside in this part of the United States, keep reading while we list several breeds and tell you a little about each one so you can learn more about them.

divider- frog The 8 Frogs Found in Pennsylvania

1. American Bullfrog

american bullfrog on water
Image Credit: Nazish Sabah, Pixabay
Species:Rana catesbeiana
Longevity:10 – 16 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:3 – 9 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The American Bullfrog is a large frog native to the Eastern United States, but you can find them almost anywhere now. It likes to stay around permanent bodies of water and will also find its way into artificial koi ponds and waterfalls. Authorities in the Western and Southern United States, as well as the rest of the world, consider the American Bullfrog an invasive species because it multiplies quickly and has a huge appetite that can interfere with the local wildlife.


2. Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog

Species:Rana kauffeldi
Longevity:8 – 10 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:2 – 5 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The Atlantic Coast Leopard Frog is an attractive frog with black spots. Its color can range from grey to green, and it can change its color throughout the day. It has large eyes and strong back legs capable of high jumps.  You can find it close to the eastern border in Pennsylvania.


3. Cope’s Gray Tree Frog

cope's gray treefrog on a stone
Image Credit: Fburnette, Shutterstock
Species:Hyla chrysoscelis
Longevity:7 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:1 – 2 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The Cope’s Gray Treefrog is an interesting frog species that you can find in much of the Eastern United States, including Pennsylvania. You can hear these frogs begin their mating calls in early May, and they continue until late June. The calls are usually at night, but they can start during the day if they are disturbed. They usually lay their eggs in smaller, temporary bodies of water.


4. Eastern Gray Tree Frog

eastern gray treefrog
Image Credit: Darren Brode, Shutterstock
Species:Hyla versicolor
Longevity:7 – 9 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:1 – 2 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The Eastern Grey Tree Frog is another frog that can change its color from grey to brown to green to help protect itself from predators. They change slower than a Chameleon but have a significant range of color. The female is slightly larger and does not call. Instead, she lets the male initiate the mating ritual.


5. Green Frog

A northern green frog sunning on a lily pad
Image Credit: Piqsels
Species:Rana clamitans
Longevity:10 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:2 – 4 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The Green Frog is a medium-sized frog that you can find anywhere in Pennsylvania. It likes to sit on the shoreline looking at the water. It will quickly dive in at the first sign of danger, stirring up mud on the bottom to cloud the waters. They usually become active when the temperature is regularly above 50 degrees and breed from April to August.


6. Mountain Chorus Frog

Species:Pseudacris brachyphona
Longevity:6 – 12 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:1 – 1.5 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The Mountain Chorus Frog is a small frog that you can usually find around the rivers and streams of Pennsylvania. It’s not a climbing breed, so it only eats insects and other invertebrates that it can capture on the ground. This frog is getting harder to find because habitat destruction is reducing their numbers. These frogs have a distinctive high-pitched, two-syllable call.


7. Northern Leopard Frog

Northern Leopard Frog side view
Image Credit: Paul Reeves Photography, Shutterstock
Species:Rana pipiens
Longevity:2 – 4 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:3 – 5 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The Northern Leopard Frog is a larger-sized frog that can often grow to more than four inches. It’s usually green or brown with large round spots on its body, and several morphs allow for even more color variations. It’s an important breed that scientists often use in medical experiments to help treat serious illnesses, including cancer.


8. Pickerel Frog

pickerel frog
Image Credit: Matt Jeppson, Shutterstock
Species:Rana palustris
Longevity:5 – 8 years
Good to own as a pet?:Yes
Legal to own?:Yes
Adult size:1.5 – 4 inches
Diet:Carnivorous

The Pickerel Frog is another species that is easy to find almost anywhere in Pennsylvania, and it’s easily confused with other breeds. These frogs are usually brown with rectangular spots oriented into two rows. The females are larger and darker than the males. The males are easy to identify with the swollen thumbs that they have during the breeding season. Like many other breeds, you can find these frogs on the bank of the river and other water sources.

new frog divider Are There Poison Frogs in Pennsylvania?

Fortunately, there are currently no poisonous frogs in Pennsylvania.

Small Frogs in Pennsylvania

Many of the frogs on this list are quite small, especially when compared to the massive American Bullfrog. The Mountain Chorus Frog and the tree frogs are the ones to look at if you are looking for something tiny.

Big Frogs in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to some large frogs, including the American Bullfrog, which can grow to more than nine inches. The leopard frogs can also get quite large if you are looking for something big.

bullfrog close up
Image Credit: Pixabay

Are There Invasive Frogs in Pennsylvania?

Luckily, there are no invasive frogs in Pennsylvania at this time. The American Bullfrog is an invasive species in other parts of the United States and the world, but it’s native to PA.

divider- frog Conclusion

As you can see, there are quite a few frogs in Pennsylvania, and many of them are worth seeking out. Some have interesting mating calls like the Mountain Chorus Frog, while others, like the leopard frogs, have interesting colors and patterns. If you want to keep one of these amazing animals as a pet, we recommend contacting a reputable breeder to have one captive-bred, so you don’t interfere with the environment.

We hope you have enjoyed reading over this short guide, and it has helped answer your questions. If we have helped you find your next pet, please share this guide to the eight frogs found in Pennsylvania on Facebook and Twitter.

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Featured Image Credit by Dustytoes, Pixabay