HERPING VIRGINIA
  • Home
    • Events
  • Explore
    • Ty's Herp Guide >
      • Frogs
      • Salamanders
      • Turtles
      • Lizards
      • Snakes
    • Herping How-to's
    • Herping Resources
    • Ty's Articles
    • The Archives
    • Quizzes
  • Trip Reports
  • Herp ID Help
  • About

Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)

8/5/2021

 

Species Information

Recognized Subspecies in VA: None
Size: 1.75 - 3 inches
Range: Statewide, rare if present on the eastern shore
Status: Least Concern

The Pickerel Frog is an early spring breeder that can be found in and around ponds, lakes, streams, and vernal pools. This frog gets its name from Pickerel Weed, which is a plant they will often call from in the water. After breeding, they can venture quite a ways from the water, often residing in moist forest, though they do like wet grass. These frogs can be easy to find on wet nights when road cruising, or by spotlighting water edges in breeding. Young frogs can be spooked out of tall grass or leaf litter near water. 

The Pickerel Frogs have thick, often blonde or bronze, coastal folds (dorsolateral ridge) and large "square-shaped" blotches that generally abutt to the ridges. These blotches are in two rows down the back. Their legs have fairly complete bands across the calf, and bright yellow inner thighs. Eggs are laid in baseball-sized masses, with each egg being slightly thicker than a wooden pencil's lead. 

Similar Species: This species is often confused for the Southern Leopard Frog, which has smaller spots, a thinner coastal fold, and incomplete leg bands.

Calls

Calls are snore-like.

Maps and External Sources

Picture
Known and predicted range
***iNaturalist maps show iNat reports of each species. Though maps are quite accurate, some reports could be misidentified, so be cautious of any outlying records.***
VHS Info
iNat Observations

Comments are closed.

    Species Profiles

    This page contains species information and links to external sites.

    Categories

    All
    1. Frogs
    2. Salamanders
    3. Turtles
    4. Lizards
    5. Snakes
    A. Eastern Shore
    B. Coastal Plain
    C. Piedmont
    D. Blue Ridge
    E. Valley & Ridge
    F. Mount Rogers
    G. Cumberland Plateau
    Similar Species Profiles

Picture
Herping Virginia encourages all naturalists to practice ethical, safe, and sustainable herping. The use of proper herping methods and techniques is beneficial to both wildlife and herpers. Visit the links below for more information.
Herping Virginia is based in Southside Virginia.
Contact: [email protected]
Facebook: Herping Virginia
Instagram: @herpingvirginia

Ethical Herping
Copyright ​© 2025 Herping Virginia 
  • Home
    • Events
  • Explore
    • Ty's Herp Guide >
      • Frogs
      • Salamanders
      • Turtles
      • Lizards
      • Snakes
    • Herping How-to's
    • Herping Resources
    • Ty's Articles
    • The Archives
    • Quizzes
  • Trip Reports
  • Herp ID Help
  • About