Peeps, Snores, Trills, and Banjos: Identifying the Frogs and Toads of Minnesota

By Misi Stine, Environmental Educator and member of the MN Herpetological Society

As spring approaches, Minnesota’s wetlands come to life with a vibrant chorus of frogs and toads. These calls—males seeking to attract females—create a seasonal symphony that shifts in tone as the weather warms. Among the earliest to emerge is the Wood Frog; these resilient amphibians wake from brumation so early they can occasionally be heard calling from ice-covered ponds as early as March.

Minnesota frogs and toads

Minnesota is home to 14 native species of frogs and toads, including the endangered Blanchard’s Cricket Frog. To help you identify our local residents, I have collaborated with Gemini to create a comprehensive reference list. Below, you will find information on calling windows, vocal descriptions, and direct links to audio files and Minnesota DNR species profiles.

Field Guide: Minnesota’s Anuran Species, Calling Windows, & Audio

  • SUMMER (June – July)

    Deep, resonant bass "Jug-o-rum."

    Audio / Profile

  • MID-SPRING (Late April – July)

    Long, high-pitched musical trill.

    Audio / Profile

  • LATE SPRING (Mid-May – July)

    Two pebbles clicking together.

    Audio / Profile

  • EARLY SPRING (Late March – June)

    Finger running over a plastic comb.

    Audio / Profile

  • LATE SPRING (May – June)

    Short, soft, low-pitched trill.

    Audio / Profile

  • LATE SPRING (Mid-May – July)

    Harsh, fast, metallic trill.

    Audio / Profile

  • LATE SPRING (Mid-May – July)

    Short, melodic, bird-like trill.

    Audio / Profile

  • LATE SPRING (May – June)

    Loud, rhythmic jackhammer clatter.

    Audio / Profile

  • SUMMER (Late May – July)

    Plucked banjo string: "Boink!"

    Audio / Profile

  • SUMMER (June – July)

    Rapid wood-tapping "cut-cut-cut."

    Audio / Profile

  • MID-SPRING (April – May)

    Long rattling snore and "chuckle."

    Audio / Profile

  • ‍ MID-SPRING (April – May)

    Steady, low-pitched snore.

    Audio / Profile

  • EARLY SPRING (Late March – May)

    High-pitched, piercing "peep!"

    Audio / Profile

  • EARLY SPRING (Late March – April)

    Dry, raspy "cluck" or "quack."

    Audio / Profile

MONITORING

To monitor the health of our state’s amphibian populations, several "participatory science" (citizen science) opportunities are available. Your observations provide crucial data that biologists simply cannot collect alone. Engaging with these programs is a wonderful way to get outdoors, have fun, and make a lasting difference.

  • Minnesota Statewide FrogWatch: Formerly known as the Minnesota Frog and Toad Calling Survey, this is a formal volunteer role. Participants monitor a specific route every 2–4 weeks throughout the season. These decades of data provide long-term insights into population trends and wetland health. Because their permeable skin makes them highly sensitive to pollutants, frogs are vital "indicator species."

  • HerpMapper: For a more informal approach, use the HerpMapper app. This global, nonprofit digital atlas allows you to record photos or sound files of any reptile or amphibian you encounter. Entries are automatically timestamped and geotagged to help agencies map species distributions.

Tips for Successful Monitoring

  1. Timing: While some calls occur during the day, the peak "concert" hours are from dusk to midnight.

  2. The Moisture Connection: Amphibians breathe through their skin. Oxygen must dissolve into a thin layer of water on their body to pass into the bloodstream. This is why they are most active during humid or rainy weather; if their skin dries out, they lose their breathing surface and can suffocate.

  3. Quiet Observation: Approach wetlands slowly. If the chorus goes silent, be patient. Use a red light to navigate, as it is less disruptive than white light. They will usually resume calling once they feel the "predator" has passed.

  4. Safety First: * Visibility: Wear reflective gear near roadsides and park in safe, designated areas.

    • Gear: Use a headlamp to keep your hands free and bring a walking stick for stability on slippery banks.

    • Chemical Sensitivity: Mosquito netting is preferred over bug spray. If you use spray, ensure you wash your hands thoroughly before touching any amphibian. The chemicals in sprays and sanitizers can be fatal if absorbed through their skin.

    • The Buddy System: Monitoring at night is always safer—and more fun—with a partner.


Reference List

Primary Species Data & Phenology

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR). Frogs and Toads of Minnesota. * Source: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/frogs_toads/index.html

 

Minnesota DNR. Frog & Toad Opera (Breeding Calendar). * Source: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/frogs_toads/opera.html


Audio Recordings & Vocal Descriptions

HerpNet (Amphibians and Reptiles of Iowa/Midwest). Frog and Toad Species Accounts.

Source: http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/amphibians/frogs-and-toads-2/

 

Music of Nature (Lang Elliott). Calls of Frogs and Toads of the Northeast.

Source: https://musicofnature.com/calls-of-frogs-and-toads-of-the-northeast/

 

California Herps. Canadian Toad (Anaxyrus hemiophrys) Profile.

Source: https://californiaherps.com/noncal/misc/miscfrogs/pages/a.hemiophrys.sounds.html

 

Conservation & Citizen Science

Minnesota Statewide FrogWatch (Formerly MFTCS). Volunteer Survey Portal.

Source: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteering/frogtoad_survey/index.html

 

HerpMapper.org. Global Herpetofauna Atlas.

Source: https://www.herpmapper.org/

 

Field Identification Standards

Conant, R., & Collins, J. T. (1998). A Field Guide to Reptiles & Amphibians: Eastern and Central North America. Peterson Field Guides.