Frogs and Toads -- Anurans (Order Anura)

Following are the species accounts for the five families and 40 species of anurans that are native to the Southeast. Taxonomy in this section follows that of Collins (1990). Species accounts are arranged alphabetically by family, and within the family by genus, and finally by species. The families used are listed below:

• True Toads (Family Bufonidae)
• Treefrogs, Chorus Frogs, and Cricket Frogs (Family Hylidae)
• Narrowmouth Toads (Family Microhylidae)
• Spadefoot Toads (Family Pelobatidae)
• True Frogs (Family Ranidae)

Management Suggestions

Moisture is the limiting factor for most anuran species. Some species are semi-aquatic but even the terrestrial species can only survive in moist microhabitats. Most terrestrial anurans and salamanders hide during the day and are only at the surface at night, or on damp, rainy days. All of our native anurans require standing water in which to deposit eggs and for the larval tadpoles to develop. Therefore, the aquatic habitat associated with terrestrial environments is essential in the management of this group of amphibians. Management should be planned for each of the three basic types of species: 1) terrestrial species, which must migrate to standing water or wait for temporary water formed by seasonal rains to form aquatic habitats for egg deposition; 2) semiaquatic species, which for the most part live in or around streams or other aquatic habitat but need adjacent terrestrial habitat for dispersal or seasonal activity; and 3) aquatic species, which are essentially obligate aquatics but may use terrestrial habitat during extreme rainy conditions.

Management plans for terrestrial species must treat species’ breeding and terrestrial habitats. Providing only one of the habitats or providing both habitats that are not in close proximity of each other would fail to maintain viable populations of the species under consideration. Many of these species require moist terrestrial habitats or friable soils so they can burrow into the soil to seek moisture. Anurans such as microhylids, treefrogs, chorus frogs, toads (Bufo and Scaphiopus), and some ranids fall into this category. Some of these species stay in their burrows except during the rainy seasons (especially the grassland species) while others are in burrows at some times, arboreal at other times, and associated with wetlands at still other times. It is also important in the development of management plans to avoid creation of significant barriers, such as roads, clearings, or fire breaks, between suitable terrestrial habitat and breeding waters. Additionally, tree structures, such as snags, loose bark, and surface debris, are important factors in managing anuran habitat. Vegetation, whether it be emergent, submergent, or floating is important in the microhabitat and breeding site selection for some of the species.

The semiaquatic anurans require not only suitable aquatic habitat (clean water free of significant siltation or pollution often with abundant vegetation) but also adjacent terrestrial habitat. Some of these species spend significant portions of their lives foraging and occupying these adjacent terrestrial habitats. Some of the species from the genera Rana, Pseudacris, and Acris fall into this category. It is important not only to leave small buffers adjacent to anuran inhabited waters, but also to provide significant upland forested habitats.

The aquatic species can be managed somewhat like most other aquatic species. Note, however, that some seemingly aquatic species transverse terrestrial habitats under certain weather conditions. Aquatic habitats should be protected against thermal pollution, water pollution, excessive siltation, and practices that alter the existing habitat such as drainage, dredging, in some cases the introduction of fish, channelization, or impoundment. Species that fit this category include the pig frog and the carpenter frog.