Species Reptiles & AmphibiansPickerel Frog

Pickerel Frog

Lithobates palustris

CommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris)

The Pickerel Frog is the only venomous frog native to the U.S. — its skin secretions are toxic to many predators and other frogs in confined containers. Its square spots in two parallel rows distinguish it from leopard frogs.

Habitat
Cool streams, bogs, and wet meadows in the Northeast and Appalachians
Diet
Insects, spiders, and other invertebrates
How common
Common

Best time to see a Pickerel Frog

The best time to see a Pickerel Frog is May–August, when about 61% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 32,523 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Recent Pickerel Frog sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Pickerel Frog? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Pickerel Frog is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love reptiles & amphibians? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More reptiles & amphibians

Pig Frog
Pig Frog
Lithobates grylio
Pine Snake
Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus
Pine Woods Tree Frog
Pine Woods Tree Frog
Hyla femoralis
Plain-bellied Watersnake
Plain-bellied Watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Plains Garter Snake
Plains Garter Snake
Thamnophis radix
Plains Leopard Frog
Plains Leopard Frog
Lithobates blairi
Plains Spadefoot
Plains Spadefoot
Spea bombifrons
Prairie Rattlesnake
Prairie Rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis