Unofficial Guide to Tadpoles and Morphs of the East

[mtratcliffe]

This post is meant to serve as a guide that is updated on a recurring basis using user-submitted photos. I've noticed that there is a lack of guides and information on the internet regarding tadpole identification, at least when it comes to photographs. Tadpoles within a species can vary in appearance, with few differences to separate them from similar species.

My vision for this guide is to use user-submitted photos of verified species of tadpole in order to help facilitate identification. As such, I need your help to make it worthwhile. Every frog species (save for one critically endangered one) encountered within the Southeastern United States (as defined by the inclusive states of the SE Chapter) is included in this guide, to include non-native species (at least those with tadpole forms). I will accept photos encompassing eggs all the way up to froglets and recently metamorphed indivudals. Again, please only contribute photos if you are confident of the species. You can either private message me or post the photos here, and I will add them to the main post. After updates are made, I'll make regular replies to this thread indicating as much, to include species with new photos. All user-submitted photos will be credited to those who took the photo, whether it is their full name or username.

If you have any feedback on how to improve this guide, I will gladly take it. I need your help to make this a success! To start things off, I have pictures to contribute for Southern Toads, Bullfrogs, Pig Frogs, Squirrel Treefrogs, Cuban Treefrogs, and Eastern Narrowmouth Toads. Please feel free to add on to these species as well - the more pictures, the better!


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Acris crepitans - Northern Cricket Frog and ssp.

*Pictures needed*

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Acris gryllus - Southern Cricket Frog and ssp.

Tadpoles

14306576380_f94f49d4dd_b by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

Noah M Southern Cricket Frog 2 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Noah Mueller)

Noah M Southern Cricket Frog 1 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Noah Mueller)

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Anaxyrus americanus - American Toad and ssp.

*Pictures needed*

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Anaxyrus fowleri - Fowler's Toad

*Pictures needed*

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Anaxyrus quercicus - Oak Toad

*Pictures needed*


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Anaxyrus terrestris - Southern Toad

Eggs

IMG_5556-1_zpskcfwr0pd by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

Tadpoles

IMG_6458-2_zpsf2c8por5 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

IMG_7483-2_zpsit7w4l2j by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

Metamorphs

IMG_7546-2_zps9fgti6cb by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

IMG_7846-2_zpskhktetzj by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

Recently Morphed

DSCN6960 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN6959 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN6956 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)



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Gastrophryne carolinensis - Eastern Narrowmouth Toad

Eggs

DSCN3602 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

Tadpoles

DSCN8513 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8514 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8516 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

15628757122_15e88254b1_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

15007741723_271dbc649f_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

Metamorphs

2015090895191918 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

Froglets

froglet by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)


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Hyla andersonii - Pine Barrens Treefrog

*Pictures needed*


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Hyla avivoca - Bird-voiced Treefrog and ssp.

*Pictures needed*


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Hyla chrysoscelis and Hyla versicolor - Gray Treefrog complex

Tadpoles

(Courtesy of cbernz)


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Hyla cinera - Green Treefrog

Tadpoles

(Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

(Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

15441789988_1389037a8b_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

DSCN9296 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

Metamorphs

2015090695113015 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

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Hyla femoralis - Pine Woods Treefrog

Tadpoles

15628756902_d97b793ae3_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

14493221195_bd459984bf_b by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

8755443514_433ffe3a8d_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

11783731726_b9931ee273_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

20150904_215450 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

2015090695101505 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

Metamorphs

2015090695101313 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

20150906_100853 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)


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Hyla gratiosa - Barking Treefrog

Tadpoles

14492004422_3440d4e9b2_b by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

14491932654_9513652950_b by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

11783734596_284625f9fd_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

11783217763_79443873d1_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

15441285759_31f2f7bee6_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

Noah M Barker 3 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

Noah M Barker 2 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr(Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

Noah M Barker 1 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

25769180803_c51a6fc2f4_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)



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Hyla squirella - Squirrel Treefrog

Tadpoles

DSCN8526 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8524 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8508 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8507 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8506 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8503 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8405 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8601 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8604 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

STF David Gilbert by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

15604211966_7f7a52e294_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

15007741543_6e9ff13b9f_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

Metamorphs

DSCN8592 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8591 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8632 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

Froglets

DSCN8624 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8623 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8619 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8616 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8611 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8608 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8607 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)



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Lithobates areolatus - Crawfish Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Lithobates capito - Gopher Frog

Metamorphs

8754318233_350f63ce69_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

8754318389_ae215f08f1_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)



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Lithobates catesbeianus - Bullfrog

Tadpoles

DSCN5699 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN5717 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN4220 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN4221 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN4227 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN4228 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

Noah M Bullfrog by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

IMG_5264-2_zpsw6da0vb6 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

Metamorphs

IMG_9252-2_zpsmaxbkgaj.jpg~original by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)


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Lithobates clamitans - Greenfrog and ssp.

25667436243_b5eb4b98f9_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)



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Lithobates grylio - Pig Frog

Eggs

DSCN7758 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

Tadpoles

8735548167_c9262e85a5_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

2015090495154047 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

20150904_154124 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

Metamorphs

DSCN1562 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

20150909_190900 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

Froglets

IMG_2061 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

IMG_2062 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)



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Lithobates heckscheri - River Frog

Tadpoles

(Courtesy of cbernz)


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Lithobates okaloosae - Florida Bog Frog (rare)

*Pictures needed*


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Lithobates palustris - Pickerel Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Lithobates pipiens - Northern Leopard Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Lithobates septentrionalis - Mink Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Lithobates sphenocephalus - Southern Leopard Frog and ssp.

Tadpoles

15628759552_3cac09a300_z-1 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Josh Holbrook)

Noah M Southern Leopard by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

IMG_5274-3_zpsavdr7lzc by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Noah Mueller)

26084402491_f533366ddc_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)

25877860430_bf0c7f848d_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)

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Lithobates sylvaticus - Wood Frog

Eggs

(Courtesy of cbernz)

Tadpoles

Courtesy of NACairns


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Lithobates virgatipes - Carpenter Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Ollotis nebulifer - Gulf Coast Toad

*Pictures needed*


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Osteopilus septentrionalis - Cuban Treefrog

Tadpoles

2015090495153340 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

Metamorphs

DSCN8527 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

Froglets

DSCN8656 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8658 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8662 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8641 - CTF by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8639 - CTF by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8638 - CTF by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8633 - CTF by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN8630 - CTF by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

Recently metamorphed

DSCN8493 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)



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Pseudacris brachyphona - Mountain Chorus Frog

Eggs

Courtesy of NACairns

Courtesy of NACairns




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Pseudacris brimleyi - Brimley's Chorus Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Pseudacris crucifer - Spring Peeper

Tadpoles

Courtesy of NA Cairns

Courtesy of NA Cairns

Courtesy of NA Cairns

Courtesy of NA Cairns

Spring Peeper 6 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)

Spring Peeper 5 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)

Froglets

Courtesy of NA Cairns



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Pseudacris feriarum - Upland Chorus Frog

DSCN9477 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9478 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9480 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN2114 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)


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Pseudacris fouquettei - Cajun Chorus Frog
26581747921_b6b72a29a4_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)

26554129632_ff7da413bb_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)

26043681593_f8c2046d4d_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)

26043681173_73467ba7b7_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)


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Pseudacris kalmi - New Jersey Chorus Frog (Eastern Shore of VA only)

DSCN9510 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9511 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9513 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9517 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr
(Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

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Pseudacris nigrita - Southern Chorus Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Pseudacris ocularis - Little Grass Frog

*Pictures needed*


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Pseudacris ornata - Ornate Chorus Frog
26554129162_8d7df09883_z by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of NA Cairns)


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Rhinella marina - Cane Toad

*Pictures needed*


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Scaphiophus holbrooki - Eastern Spadefoot Toad

Tadpoles

IMG_2064 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

IMG_2063 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

DSCN9323 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9324 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9325 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)

DSCN9330 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of Matt Ratcliffe)


Toadlets

20150905_173035 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr (Courtesy of David Gilbert)

[Coluber Constrictor]

if this is for the entire southeast you forgot the Gulf Coast Toad (Bufo valliceps, Ollotis nebulifer or whatever it is now). Those go into MS a bit.

[mtratcliffe]

if this is for the entire southeast you forgot the Gulf Coast Toad (Bufo valliceps, Ollotis nebulifer or whatever it is now). Those go into MS a bit.

Thank you - I knew I was forgetting something!

[NACairns]

For the most part these are from Canada so I'm not sure if they are useful for you but feel free.
Lithobates sylvatica
Lithobates sylvatica by N Cairns, on Flickr

Pseudacris crucifer
Pseudacris crucifer by N Cairns, on Flickr

Pseudacris crucifer by N Cairns, on Flickr

Pseudacris crucifer by N Cairns, on Flickr

East Texas
Pseudacris crucifer by N Cairns, on Flickr

Pseudacris maculata
IMGP8751-001 by N Cairns, on Flickr

Pseudacris brachyphona
Pseudacris brachyphona by N Cairns, on Flickr

Pseudacris brachyphona by N Cairns, on Flickr

[mtratcliffe]

Thank you - those are some high-quality shots! I've added them to the main post. Please let me know if you plan on removing the photos from your flickr account because that is where I am linking from (I'll save local copies on my laptop as a backup). Would you like me to credit the photos to your username?

[NACairns]

That is very kind of you. I'll let you know if I plan to move them. If you can credit them as NA Cairns that would be perfect.
I forgot a couple:
Pseudacris maculata and Spea bombifrons by N Cairns, on Flickr
Pseudacris crucifer by N Cairns, on Flickr
I'll try to find more.
Nick

[mtratcliffe]

Large update for several new species today courtesy of some great shots from Noah Mueller and Josh Holbrook. Thanks guys!

[simus343]

A question of idle curiosity, once complete, will this become a pinned topic? It would be a good idea in my opinion to pin an ID guide.

[Josh Holbrook]

A question of idle curiosity, once complete, will this become a pinned topic? It would be a good idea in my opinion to pin an ID guide.

Let's give it a couple of weeks. Making something a sticky is a blessing and a curse. It keeps it at the top, but a lot of people (myself included) automatically overlook the stickies. Give it a couple more weeks to see if anyone else will contribute then I'll make it one.

[mtratcliffe]

A question of idle curiosity, once complete, will this become a pinned topic? It would be a good idea in my opinion to pin an ID guide.

Let's give it a couple of weeks. Making something a sticky is a blessing and a curse. It keeps it at the top, but a lot of people (myself included) automatically overlook the stickies. Give it a couple more weeks to see if anyone else will contribute then I'll make it one.

That's my plan - make the guide a bit more robust (most common species represented) and then make it a sticky. I'll probably reach out to the main forum here soon for input.

[mtratcliffe]

Updated with more photos from Josh Holbrook and some from David Gilbert (double d). Green Treefrogs, Pine Woods Treefrogs, Barking Treefrogs, Pig Frogs, and Cuban Treefrogs represented.

We are starting to build some good depth with some of the common species. Does anyone have some River Frog tadpole pics they'd like to share? I know someone does. We are also lacking on pics for the toad species if anyone can help out there.

[mtratcliffe]

Updated with Tadpole photos for Gray Treefrog Complex and River Frogs, plus eggs for Wood Frogs. Photos courtesy of cbernz.

[mtratcliffe]

Updated with pictures of Pig Frogs and Eastern Spadefoot Toads, courtesy of David Gilbert. With a few more updates, I'll be looking to make this a sticky thread.

[mtratcliffe]

Long overdue update. I haven't forgot about this thread, and I will be pushing to have it stickied shortly. Before I do, I'm putting one last call out there before I start the new (stickied) thread. Updates will still be accepted after that point, of course, as this guide will always be a living product.

Reply or PM me if you have any clear, identifiable photos to contribute! We still have a lot of species not represented.

[Matt S.]

Great post and thanks for the updates. Tadpoles are another dimension when it comes to IDs.

I am fairly certain that those tadpoles you have labeled as leopard frog with the extremely dorsal eyes and very visible intestinal coils are spadefoot. They tend to travel in pretty tight schools so you can get hundreds in one net pretty easily. Those goofy looking close eyes are pretty diagnostic as well as the schools that stay together and very visible intestines. They also lack the light mustache and vertical snout stripe that leopards almost always have. The last one in the series with the tadpole on the leaf is something else though, my guess would be southern chorus frog with those lateral eyes, size, and coloration but that is not 100%.

Good pics of spadefoot 'poles.

Again, this is a great idea for a thread and I really appreciate all the work. A good, accessible tadpole guide is a great resource.

I may be able to put up some bog frog and pine barrens tadpole pictures but no promises.

[mtratcliffe]

Great post and thanks for the updates. Tadpoles are another dimension when it comes to IDs.

I am fairly certain that those tadpoles you have labeled as leopard frog with the extremely dorsal eyes and very visible intestinal coils are spadefoot. They tend to travel in pretty tight schools so you can get hundreds in one net pretty easily. Those goofy looking close eyes are pretty diagnostic as well as the schools that stay together and very visible intestines. They also lack the light mustache and vertical snout stripe that leopards almost always have. The last one in the series with the tadpole on the leaf is something else though, my guess would be southern chorus frog with those lateral eyes, size, and coloration but that is not 100%.

Good pics of spadefoot 'poles.

Again, this is a great idea for a thread and I really appreciate all the work. A good, accessible tadpole guide is a great resource.

I may be able to put up some bog frog and pine barrens tadpole pictures but no promises.

Great catch! I was starting to think that they didn't look like the other Leopard Frog tadpoles in here, and that they were too small. I think you are spot on with your ID, as Noah confirmed that he has heard Spadefoot Toads near there before. I will update the thread accordingly.

If you have any pics to contribute, I'll gladly take them!

[mtratcliffe]

Found some tadpoles in a vernal pool in Fairfax County, VA the other day and managed to get a few photographs. Any thoughts on what it might be? It had lateral eyes, and given the locale, possibilities are Green Treefrog, Gray/Cope's Gray Treefrog, Spring Peeper, Eastern Cricket Frog, or Upland Chorus Frog. I'm thinking it's either a Peeper or Chorus Frog due to the lack of bright colors and patterning on the tail.

DSCN9477 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr

DSCN9478 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr

DSCN2114 by Matthew Ratcliffe, on Flickr

[Coluber Constrictor]

seems late in the year for it to be a pseudacris sp?

[mtratcliffe]

seems late in the year for it to be a pseudacris sp?

It does, but I'm having a hard time figuring out what else it might be. They look somewhat like Wood Frog tadpoles, but again their eyes were lateral instead of dorsal.

[mtratcliffe]

A second opinion I received elsewhere says they are likely P. ferarium tadpoles that are ready to morph. Seems to be quite late in the year for them; I'll have to check out this spot again throughout the year.