Frog Blog

Happy World Frog Day!

By: Nadia, Conservation Campaign Officer

Are you someone who leaps at the chance to catch a frog, or do you jump away the moment one hops into view? However you react, frogs have a way of sticking in our memories.

On World Frog Day, and the first official day of spring, we’re giving a big shout-out and a warm welcome back to the croaky, hoppy amphibians that will be singing across Manitoba soon. Whether they’re peeping in spring ponds or lounging in marshy hideouts, these little jumpers play a big role in our ecosystems.

Manitoba is home to 8 species of frogs – 4 ‘classic frogs’ and 4 treefrogs. Let’s take a dive into the ponds and marshes of our province and learn more about these little creatures!

Classic Frogs:

Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)

Distribution: Found only in the southeastern corner of Manitoba around Nopiming Provincial Park.

Size/Colour: Can grow up to 10 cm in body length, ranging from green to tan with scattered black spots and a white belly.

Fast Fact: This species is considered rare in Manitoba due to its limited range and low number of records. Have you ever spotted one?

Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)

Distribution: In most parts of Manitoba except in the far north

Size/Colour: One of the largest frogs in Manitoba, reaching around 11 cm in body length. With legs stretched out, an adult can measure nearly 30 cm long! They are recognizable by their green bodies, white bellies, and dark leopard-like spots

Other info: Though they are considered to be common in Manitoba, a dramatic sickness in the 1970s caused a major decline in the population. As a result the Western Boreal/Prairie populations are considered to be of Special Concern according to SARA and COSEWIC.

Mink Frog (Lithobates septentrionalis)

Distribution: Found mainly in southeastern Manitoba, including areas around Whiteshell and Nopiming Provincial Parks.

Size/Colour: Adults grow to about 8 cm in body length. They are usually green with brown patches and have relatively large eardrums (tympanums).

Fast Fact: They get their name from their strong smell—it’s often compared to the scent of a mink!

Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)

Distribution: Abundant all over Manitoba

Size/Colour: Usually around 5 cm long, coloured from light tan to dark brown. Females are often a rusty brown.

Fast Fact: Similar to the boreal chorus frog, these species also freeze solid during the winter and wake up in the spring time. Doctors study this species to help treat humans and find new ways to help with organ transplants!

Treefrogs:

Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata)

Distribution: Found across much of southern and central Manitoba

Size/Colour: One of the smallest frogs in the province, only about 2 cm long. They are brown or green with dark stripes or patches, and can change colour to match their surroundings.

Fast Fact: During winter, their bodies freeze solid, making them well adapted to the Northern Manitoba climate. When spring arrives, they thaw and begin calling—often forming the first frog chorus of the season.

Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)

Distribution: Mostly found in southeastern Manitoba

Size/Colour: Small, about 2.5 cm long, typically light brown with darker bands. They always have a distinctive “X” marking on their backs.

Fast Fact: Despite their tiny size, the high-pitched “peep” calls can be heard from far away, creating one of the most recognizable sounds of spring.

Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) and Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)

These two species are nearly impossible to tell apart visually. The main difference is actually in their DNA and their mating call – Cope’s Gray Treefrog has twice as many chromosomes!

Distribution: Found primarily in Southern Manitoba

Size/Colour: Medium-sized frogs, about 6 cm long, capable of changing colour from gray to green to blend into their surroundings.

Fast Fact: These treefrogs have sticky toe pads that help them climb trees, shrubs, and even walls!

Frogs and Our Ecosystems

Who would have thought these small amphibians could tell us so much about the health of our environment?

Frogs are often referred to as “nature’s warning system” or an “indicator species”,. Frogs have permeable skin – meaning that they both breath and drink through their skin! This means when frogs start disappearing from an area, this is a clear sign that there are major environmental issues or pollutants that could affect other species, and humans.

Unfortunately, frog populations around Manitoba face major threats including the loss of wetlands from land conversion to agricultural or residential development, timber harvesting, road mortality, invasive species, pollution and emerging diseases.

Protecting the numerous wetlands and marshy habitats in Manitoba can help frogs but also many other species that rely on the same ecosystem services.

Keep the Chorus Going

Frogs may be small, but they play a big role in Manitoba’s ecosystems, helping control insects and serving as food for birds, fish, and other wildlife.

By protecting wetlands, reducing pollution, and supporting conservation efforts, we can help ensure that Manitoba’s ponds and marshes continue to echo with frog calls each spring.

As spring quickly approaches and the frogs begin to wake up from their slumber, take a moment to listen and think about the impact small scale conservation efforts of a species can turn into large scale change and benefits to our natural environment.