29 Types of Frogs in South Carolina
South Carolina hosts a surprising variety of frogs, from the common green treefrog to the rare pine barrens treefrog. Most sightings happen near water in the Coastal Plain and Midlands. This guide covers the types you are most likely to encounter along with key field marks to separate them.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 6, 2026.
Verified species, source iNaturalist
29 types of frogs recorded in South Carolina
29 frog species have a verified observation record in South Carolina, each with at least 10 confirmed sightings. The full list, ranked by how often each is recorded, is below.
1 of the 29 shown is recorded as introduced to South Carolina rather than native.
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Also recorded in South Carolina
| # | Species | Scientific name | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Eastern SpadefootScaphiopus holbrookii | Scaphiopus holbrookii | 424 |
| 14 | Spring PeeperPseudacris crucifer | Pseudacris crucifer | 402 |
| 15 | Pine Woods Tree FrogDryophytes femoralis | Dryophytes femoralis | 359 |
| 16 | Upland Chorus FrogPseudacris feriarum | Pseudacris feriarum | 350 |
| 17 | Barking Tree FrogDryophytes gratiosus | Dryophytes gratiosus | 202 |
| 18 | Pickerel FrogLithobates palustris | Lithobates palustris | 190 |
| 19 | Greenhouse FrogIntroducedEleutherodactylus planirostris | Eleutherodactylus planirostris | 130 |
| 20 | Little Grass FrogPseudacris ocularis | Pseudacris ocularis | 114 |
| 21 | Wood FrogLithobates sylvaticus | Lithobates sylvaticus | 88 |
| 22 | Oak ToadAnaxyrus quercicus | Anaxyrus quercicus | 76 |
| 23 | Southern Chorus FrogPseudacris nigrita | Pseudacris nigrita | 40 |
| 24 | Pig FrogLithobates grylio | Lithobates grylio | 40 |
| 25 | Carpenter FrogLithobates virgatipes | Lithobates virgatipes | 37 |
| 26 | Cuban Tree FrogOsteopilus septentrionalis | Osteopilus septentrionalis | 36 |
| 27 | Ornate Chorus FrogPseudacris ornata | Pseudacris ornata | 28 |
| 28 | Brimley's Chorus FrogPseudacris brimleyi | Pseudacris brimleyi | 20 |
| 29 | River FrogLithobates heckscheri | Lithobates heckscheri | 13 |
Plus 3 more recorded only rarely (fewer than 10 verified sightings). Counts from verified iNaturalist observations. Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
South Carolina hosts a surprising variety of frogs, from the common green treefrog to the rare pine barrens treefrog. Most sightings happen near water in the Coastal Plain and Midlands. This guide covers the types you are most likely to encounter along with key field marks to separate them.
1. What are the most useful ID markers for South Carolina frogs?
Focus on toe pad size, dorsal pattern, and call. Treefrogs have large toe pads; true frogs have smaller ones and webbed feet. Look for a dark stripe through the eye (like the green treefrog) or a pale lip line (like the squirrel treefrog). Thefrog species hubhas side-by-side comparisons.
In South Carolina, frogs sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
2. Where in South Carolina do people spot frogs most often?
The Coastal Plain and Midlands around ponds, swamps, and slow streams. Congaree National Park, Francis Marion National Forest, and the ACE Basin are reliable spots. Check theSouth Carolina wildlife guidefor more habitat details.
3. When is the best time of year for frog sightings in South Carolina?
Late spring through early fall (April to September) after warm rains. Breeding choruses peak May to July. Listen for calls at dusk. Winter is quiet except for a few species like the spring peeper, which calls in late winter.
See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. How to tell a green treefrog from a squirrel treefrog?
Green treefrogs have a white stripe down each side and a pale belly. Squirrel treefrogs lack the stripe, often have a dark splotch between the eyes, and their call sounds like a squirrel chattering. Both are common around porch lights in coastal areas.
5. Where can you find the pine barrens treefrog in South Carolina?
This rare frog lives in the Longleaf Pine savannas of the Sandhills region. Look for a dark blotch on the thigh and a distinct call like a bell. The best odds are in the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. Checkour frog guidefor more.
6. Frog art prints at Easy Street Markets
After a day of field work, many wildlife watchers enjoy bringing a piece of the swamp home. Easy Street Markets offers limited-edition prints of the red eyed tree frog and the pine barrens treefrog. They make a good conversation starter for your gear room.
Red Eyed Tree Frog Limited-Edition Print
A vibrant print that captures the rainforest look of a frog you won't find in South Carolina, but its bold colors stand out on any wall.Check Price and Availability
Pine Barrens Tree Frog Limited-Edition Print
This print features the actual pine barrens treefrog you might spot in the Sandhills. A great reference for field marks.Check Price and Availability
If shirts are more your style, browsewildlife shirts at Easy Street Markets.
Wall art print: Frog by Eimear Maguire on Artfully Walls. Illustration, Animals, framed or unframed art printed on fine art paper
Product from otherCheck Price and Availability
7. Plan your frog-spotting trip
Use the widget above to find nearby parks and lodging. Early morning or just after dusk gives the best odds, especially from March to June.
8. Frequently asked questions about frogs in South Carolina
**Are there poisonous frogs in South Carolina?** No native frogs are deadly to humans, but pickerel frogs and southern toads secrete mild skin irritants. Wash hands after handling.
**What is the largest frog in South Carolina?** The American bullfrog can reach 8 inches. Found in permanent water bodies statewide.
**Can I keep a wild frog as a pet?** It is legal to keep common species like green treefrogs, but check local regulations. It is often better to leave them in the wild.
**How do I attract frogs to my yard?** Provide a small pond with native plants and avoid pesticides. See ourSouth Carolina wildlife guidefor more tips.
See ourtour planning ideasfor the next step.
Gear and field guides
Frequently asked questions
1. What are the most useful ID markers for South Carolina frogs?+
Focus on toe pad size, dorsal pattern, and call. Treefrogs have large toe pads; true frogs have smaller ones and webbed feet. Look for a dark stripe through the eye (like the green treefrog) or a pale lip line (like the squirrel treefrog). Thefrog species hubhas side-by-side comparisons. In South Carolina, frogs sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to the most useful ID markers and likely lookalikes. Use thestate wildlife huband theroute guideto narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.
2. Where in South Carolina do people spot frogs most often?+
The Coastal Plain and Midlands around ponds, swamps, and slow streams. Congaree National Park, Francis Marion National Forest, and the ACE Basin are reliable spots. Check theSouth Carolina wildlife guidefor more habitat details.
3. When is the best time of year for frog sightings in South Carolina?+
Late spring through early fall (April to September) after warm rains. Breeding choruses peak May to July. Listen for calls at dusk. Winter is quiet except for a few species like the spring peeper, which calls in late winter. See ourstate animal guidefor the next step.
4. How to tell a green treefrog from a squirrel treefrog?+
Green treefrogs have a white stripe down each side and a pale belly. Squirrel treefrogs lack the stripe, often have a dark splotch between the eyes, and their call sounds like a squirrel chattering. Both are common around porch lights in coastal areas.
5. Where can you find the pine barrens treefrog in South Carolina?+
This rare frog lives in the Longleaf Pine savannas of the Sandhills region. Look for a dark blotch on the thigh and a distinct call like a bell. The best odds are in the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. Checkour frog guidefor more.
Keep exploring
More wildlife in South Carolina