Frogs and toads, which belong to the order Anura, are easily recognizable amphibians who lack tails and have short, stout bodies. They lay eggs in freshwater, which hatch into aquatic larvae called tadpoles. These larvae then go through metamorphosis, absorbing their tails and growing legs to appear as adult frogs that are then free to leave the water. Frogs can be distinguished by their long hind legs, and smooth, moist skin, while toads can be recognized by their shorter, stubby legs and rough skin. There are over 5,000 species of frogs and toads, of which 11 are found in Connecticut. Nine of these are frogs, a majority coming from the genus of true frogs, Lithobates, who are primarily aquatic water frogs. Some are arboreal, coming from the families Hyla and Pseudacris, while others spend most of their time in burrows, such as in the genus Scaphiopus. Two species of true toads live in Connecticut, from the genus Anaxyrus.
To learn more about the frogs and toads found in Connecticut, click on a species below: