Little Grass Frog
Pseudacris ocularis
(click image to enlarge)

Appearance:  Little Grass Frogs range in size from 7/16 to 5/8 in. (1.1 - 1.6 cm).  These are the smallest anurans in the United States. A distinguishing characteristic to use to identify this frog is the dark line that passes through the eye and down the side of the body. A dark interorbital triangle is usually visible.  The general coloration of these frogs range between light tan, rusty red, and dark brown.  The chest is white or yellowish. Males have a dark throat and a huge subgular vocal sac.  Toes are slightly webbed.

Habitat: Little Grass Frogs can be found in a variety of moist environments including grassy ponds, cypress bay margins, swamp and marsh edges, flooded meadows, grassy pasture ponds, and roadside drainage ditches.

Vocalization:  The call of the Little Grass Frog is a shrill, tinkling, insect-like "set-see, set-see, set-see".  These frogs can be heard calling throughout most of the year.

Reproduction/Eggs: Female Little Grass Frogs lay their eggs in several clusters of 25 or more that are attached to underwater vegetation. Females may lay more than 200 eggs.

Abundance: Little Grass Frogs are abundant but difficult to observe.  They can be found throughout Florida, except the westernmost portion of the panhandle. 

Range: Little Grass Frogs range from southeast Virginia to the southern tip of Florida and west to the edge of the Piedmont and to extreme southern Alabama.

SE ARMI Index Sites: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Everglades National Park.