Commonly Heard East Tennessee Amphibian Vocalizations

East Tennessee Commonly Heard Frog Calls

American Bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeiana )
[Photo: John J. Mosesso, NBII Library of Images from the Environment]

American Bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeiana )

American Bullfrog ( Lithobates catesbeiana ) [Photo: Bill Leonard, U.S. Geological Survey]

Deep-pitched "rumm, rumm, rumm" or "ru-uu- umm, ru-u-uumm." [Audio: USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center]

American Toad ( Anaxyrus americanus )

American Toad ( Anaxyrus americanus ) [Photo: Brad Glorioso, U.S. Geological Survey]

High musical trill lasting up to 30 seconds (average of 10-15 seconds). [Audio: USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Cope's Gray Treefrog ( Hyla chrysoscelis )

Cope's Gray Treefrog ( Hyla chrysoscelis ) [Photo: U.S. Geological Survey]

A hearty, resonating trill. Faster trill than the Gray Treefrog. [Audio: USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad ( Gastrophryne carolinensis )

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad ( Gastrophryne carolinensis ) [Photo: United States Geological Survey]

Buzzy, nasal "waaaaaa" similar to Fowler's Toad but shorter in duration. Call may also have a peep or squeak. Similar to a weak bleat of a sheep. [Audio Copyright: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks/ Mississippi Public Broadcasting, used with permission]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Eastern Spadefoot ( Scaphiopus holbrookii )

Eastern Spadefoot ( Scaphiopus holbrookii ) [Photo: Priya Nanjappa, USGS]

Like the coarse low-pitch complaint of a young crow - "errrr." [Audio Copyright: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks/ Mississippi Public Broadcasting, used with permission]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Fowler's Toad ( Bufo fowleri )

Fowler's Toad ( Bufo fowleri ) [Copyright: Jason Gibson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]

Nasal, descending, 1 to 4 second "waaaaaaaah". [Audio Copyright: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks/ Mississippi Public Broadcasting, used with permission]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Gray treefrog ( Hyla versicolor )

Gray treefrog ( Hyla versicolor ) [Copyright: Patrick Coin, used under CC 2.0 License]

A hearty, resonating trill. Slower trill than Cope's Gray Treefrog. [Audio: USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Green Frog ( Lithobates clamitans )

Green Frog ( Lithobates clamitans ) [Photo: John J. Mosesso, NBII-LIFE]

A sound like the twang of a loose banjo string - "gunk". [Audio: USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Mountain chorus frog ( Pseudacris brachyphona )

Mountain chorus frog ( Pseudacris brachyphona ) [Copyright: Carl Brune, used with permission]

A high-pitched squeak in rapid series. [Audio Copyright: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks/ Mississippi Public Broadcasting, used with permission]

Species Profile by NatureServe
Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Northern Cricket Frog ( Acris crepitans )

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Pickerel Frog ( Lithobates palustris )

Pickerel Frog ( Lithobates palustris ) [Copyright: John White, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]

Steady low croak. If calling from under water, it may sound like a rolling snore. [Audio Copyright: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks/ Mississippi Public Broadcasting, used with permission]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Southern Leopard Frog ( Lithobates sphenocephala )

Southern Leopard Frog ( Lithobates sphenocephala ) [Photo: U.S. Geological Survey, South Central ARMI]

Clucks and croaks interspersed with groans/grunts. [Audio Copyright: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks/ Mississippi Public Broadcasting, used with permission]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Spring Peeper ( Pseudacris crucifer )

Spring Peeper ( Pseudacris crucifer ) [Photo: Brad Glorioso, U.S. Geological Survey, South Central ARMI]

High-pitched ascending bird-like peeps - "PEEPpeep, PEEP-peep." [Audio: USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center]

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Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas

Upland Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris feriarum )

Upland Chorus Frog ( Pseudacris feriarum ) [Copyright: John D. Willson, used with permission]

Short, raspy and rises in pitch - sounds like dragging a thumbnail over a comb. [Audio Copyright: Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks/ Mississippi Public Broadcasting, used with permission]

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Species Distribution

Wood Frog ( Lithobates sylvatica )

Wood Frog ( Lithobates sylvatica ) [Photo: Evan H.C. Grant, U.S. Geological Survey]

Short harsh quacks. [Audio: USGS - Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center]

Species Profile by NatureServe
Species Distribution by the National Amphibian Atlas