Family Ranidae – True Frogs

River frog (Rana heckscheri)

• Description: 3 1/4-5 inches; dark greenish-brown to black; belly dark gray with light spots or short irregular lines; no ridges on back; conspicuous light spots on both upper and lower lips.

• Distribution: Rare along larger Gulf coastal streams south and east of Wiggins.

• Breeding period: April to August.

• Breeding sites: In and along margins of oxbows and around edges of shallow ponds and lakes.

• Voice: Deep, guttural growl or snore.

• Comments: Recorded by Judith C. Hancock on Osceola National Forest, Columbia County, Florida. Green treefrogs and Florida cricket frogs calling in background.