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Family: Pelobatidae
Eastern Spadefoot
Family: Bufonidae
Eastern American Toad
Fowler's Toad
Family: Hylidae
Eastern Cricket Frog
Blanchard's Cricket Frog
Northern Spring Peeper
Mountain Chorus Frog
Upland Chorus Frog
Gray Treefrogs
Family: Ranidae
American Bullfrog
Northern Green Frog
Northern Leopard Frog
Pickerel Frog
Wood Frog
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Taxonomy:
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Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Amphibia
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Order: Anura
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There are
14 species of frogs and toads in West Virginia. They range in size
from the tiny Cricket Frog which is only about 1.5 inches long, to the
Bullfrog, reaching about 7 inches. All frogs and toads in West
Virginia must lay their eggs in water and there is a tadpole stage which
lasts from only a few weeks in Spadefoots to several years in Bullfrogs
and Green Frogs. Tadpoles are omnivores in general, feeding on plants
and microorganisms. All adult frogs and toads are carnivores, preying
mainly on insects. The larger species may feed on small mammals,
snakes, other frogs, and even birds!
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