Coolest Florida Frog Photo Ever

Florida is home to lots of creatures big and small. While the bigger, sometimes scarier critters capture most of the headlines, the state’s littlest residents also deserve their 15 minutes of fame.

Hoping to give it to them, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently dedicated a post on its Facebook page to some of the state’s smaller residents.

“Ever wonder why frogs start to ‘sing’ in the rain,” the post asked. The answer, FWC noted, is “to get the girls, of course.”

“It’s like the animal kingdom’s version of ‘The Voice,’ ” FWC explained. “Females pick the boys with the best song and lay eggs if the conditions are right. (We are not sure about moonlight and rose petals being strewn about the breeding pond, but one can wonder, right?)”

Florida, as it turns out, is home to 27 different native species of frogs, including the tiny squirrel tree frogs shown in FWC’s eye-catching photo. Those 27 species represent five different families and are found in varying habitats across the state. In addition, Florida has also had three nonnative species invade its shores, the University of Florida says on its website.

See Also:

• Giant, Poisonous Toads Pose Continued Threat in Florida

Tampa Bay area residents will find the region is home to three main types of frogs: terrestrial, arboreal and aquatic. Here’s a look at the different species found in the Bay area, according to the University of Florida:

Terrestrial

These frogs are known to live on the ground and may burrow in loose soil:

• Cane Toad (this is an invasive species known to cause problems pets thanks to its toxic secretions)
• Southern Toad
• Oak Toad
• Eastern Narrow-mouth Toad
• Eastern Spadefoot
• Greenhouse Frog (also a nonnative species)
• Little Grass Frog
• Southern Chorus Frog
• Gopher Frog

Arboreal Frogs

These critters live in trees or bushes and may also be found on buildings. The species found in Tampa Bay include:

• Barking Treefrog
• Cuban Treefrog (nonnative species)
• Green Treefrog
• Pine Woods Treefrog
• Squirrel Treefrog

Aquatic Frogs

These critters spend much of their time in the water. Those found in the Tampa Bay region include:

• American Bullfrog
• Bronze Frog
• Pig Frog
• Southern Leopard Frog
• Southern Cricket Frog

To learn more about Florida frogs FWC recommends visiting the Florida Museum of Natural History online. More information about frogs and the different sounds they make, check out USGS online. To check out more information on the frogs that call Tampa Bay home, including photos of the different species, visit UF online.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission taken by Karen Parker