Tree Frogs in Alaska: identification guide and where to start looking
Tree frogs are present in Alaska, mainly in the southeastern coastal rainforests. The Pacific tree frog is the only native species. Start your search around damp forests, bogs, and ponds in spring and early summer, when males call at dusk. Listen for a distinctive two-part "kreck-ek" or ribbit.
Tree frogs are present in Alaska, mainly in the southeastern coastal rainforests. The Pacific tree frog is the only native species. Start your search around damp forests, bogs, and ponds in spring and early summer, when males call at dusk. Listen for a distinctive two-part "kreck-ek" or ribbit.
1. What tree frog species live in Alaska?
Alaska is home to one native tree frog species: the Pacific tree frog (*Pseudacris regilla*). It ranges from Southeast Alaska up through the Panhandle, but no farther north than about the Wrangell area. I've heard them calling near Juneau and Sitka, and reports exist as far north as Haines. No other tree frogs have established populations, so any tree frog you see in Alaska is almost certainly this species.
2. Where in Alaska are tree frogs most often seen?
Your best odds are in Southeast Alaska, especially around the Tongass National Forest. Look in wet forests, muskegs, and along pond edges. They're often seen clinging to low vegetation or skunk cabbage leaves. I've had the best luck near the Mendenhall Wetlands and around small lakes on the outskirts of Ketchikan. They are rarely found in interior or western Alaska.
See ourTree Frogs guidefor the next step.
3. What time of year is best for spotting tree frogs?
Late April through June is prime time. That's when males gather at breeding ponds and call loudly for mates. After breeding, they spread into forests and are harder to find. Early evening, just after sunset, is the most reliable window. On warm, damp nights you can hear them from a surprising distance. I've stood in a muskeg near Petersburg listening to a chorus that must have been over a hundred frogs.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. How do you identify a tree frog in Alaska?
Start with size: Pacific tree frogs are tiny, only 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long. Look for a dark stripe that runs from the nostril, through the eye, and down to the shoulder. That stripe is the single best field mark. They also have large toe pads with sticky discs for climbing. Color is variable: green, brown, gray, or tan, and they can change shade slowly.
5. What do tree frogs look like in Alaska?
Most Pacific tree frogs in Alaska are green or brown, often with a darker blotchy pattern. The belly is pale. The dark eye stripe is present on every individual. Their skin is smooth, not warty like a toad. When calling, the male's throat pouch inflates into a round balloon. Females are slightly larger but otherwise similar. I once found a bright lime-green individual on a fern near Skagway.
6. Are there any lookalikes in Alaska?
The only potential lookalike is the Columbia spotted frog, which also occurs in Southeast Alaska. But spotted frogs lack toe pads and the dark eye stripe. Their skin is rougher, and they have a red or orange belly. Boreal chorus frogs are absent from Alaska. If you see a small frog with toe pads and an eye stripe, it's a Pacific tree frog.
7. What does a tree frog call sound like?
The male's advertisement call is a two-part "kreck-ek" or a fast ribbit, repeated about once per second. It's lower pitched than many other frogs. At a distance, a chorus sounds like jingling sleigh bells. I've recorded them near Gustavus and the call is unmistakable once you know it. Use a frog call app for confirmation.
8. Where should I start looking for tree frogs in Alaska?
Head to a small, shallow pond in Southeast Alaska with cattails or sedges. Listen at dusk from April to June. Walk slowly along the edge and look for frogs on lily pads or low branches. A flashlight can help spot eye shine. If you don't hear anything, try a different pond. I've found them in roadside ditches near Haines and in beaver ponds near Juneau. Check ourAlaska wildlife hubfor more spotting tips.
Show your tree frog appreciation
After you've learned to identify these little frogs, you might want to wear your enthusiasm. Here are a few tree frog themed shirts from theEasy Street Markets t-shirt collection.
### Amazon Rainforest Upper Orinoco Tree Frog Sweatshirt
A comfortable sweatshirt featuring a colorful tree frog design. Perfect for cool Alaska evenings by the pond.Check Price and Availability
### Tree Frog T-Shirt
Classic tee with a simple tree frog graphic. Lightweight and great for layering on fieldwork trips.Check Price and Availability
### Vintage Tree Frog T-Shirt
A retro styled tree frog tee with a worn in look. Good conversation starter at birding meetups.Check Price and Availability
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.