Family Amphiumidae - Amphiumas

Three-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum)

Three-toed amphiuma is often called "congo eel" - a large, dark colored, eel-like salamander with two paris of tiny legs, each with three toes. Maximum length is 42 inches, 1060mm. Commonly found in ditches with shallow water. Often thought to be an eel, but look closely to see the tiny legs. Primary food is crawfish, earthworms, and insect larvae. Uncommon at the park but common in Lafayette Parish ditches.

Family Bufonidae - Frogs & Toads

Typical anuras lay eggs in pools of water. Tadpoles , a larval stage, hatch from these eggs. The tadpole has a fleshy, finned tail; lidless eyes; and specialized larval teeth. As the tadpole ages, the limbs begin to appear, and during metamorphosis the tail and fins are resorbed, the skin becomes grandular, the eyes develop lids, the skull is restructured, and true teeth form. The froglet then undergoes a period of growth to reach its adult size.

Gulf Coast Toad (Bufo valliceps)

A brownish toad with a yellowish cream underside, a yellowish cream stripe on back, and a broad yellowish cream stripe on side. Maximum length is 5 inches, 125mm. Often confused with Woodhouse's Toad. Very common in south Louisiana. Very common in the park.

Woodhouse's Toad (Bufo woodhousei)

A brownish toad with a yellowish or gray underside and a light colored stripe on back. Maximum length is 3 inches, 51-76 mm. Often confused with Gulf Coast Toad but Wodhouse's is much smaller. Common statewide except in marshes. Common at the park.

Family Hylidae - Treefrogs

Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis-versicolor)

Cope's Gray Treefrog and the Gray Treefrog appear to be structurally identical. However, they are separate species because Hyla chrysoscelis is diploid, having 24 chromosomes and Hyla versicolor is tetraploid, having 48 chromosomes. Their calls are very similar but can be distinguished with a trained ear. A gray to brown or green frog with dark blotches or a dark blotch on back and a light spot under eye. Maximum length is 2 3/8 inches, 60mm. Arboreal frogs that eat insects. Undetermined population at the park.

Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)

A light to dark green frog with a well-defined, sharp-edged white or yellow stripe on side. Maximum length is 2½ inches, 65mm. Occurs wherever fresh-water breeding sites are available. Are found under bark and in or under logs in cool weather, during most of the year they are found on just about any vertical surface off of the ground. Primary food is arthropods; snails, beetles, and spiders. Common in the park.

Spring Peeper (Hyla crucifer)

A brown to brownish olive frog with a dark "X" shaped mark on its back. Have most treefrog habits but do not ascend much higher than low shrubs. Primary food is arthropods. Nocturnal and cold weather singers that sing one of three notes; A, B, G#. Undetermined population at park.

Upland Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata feriarum)

Family Microhylidae - Narrow-mouthed toads

Eastern Narrow-mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis)

A gray, brown, or reddish tan toad Maximum length is 1½ inches, 38mm. Toes are unwebbed. Secretive during the day but move into the open after dark. Found in forested areas. More often walk rather than leap. Primary foods are termites, ants, arthropods, and snails. Common in park.

Family Ranidae - True frogs

Bronze Frog (Rana clamitans clamitans)

Pickeral Frog (Rana palustris)

A gray or tan frog with square dark brown or black blotches on back. Maximum length is 3 7/16 inches, 87mm. Similar to a Leopard frog but has square blotches instead of round blotches. Primary food consists of arthropods and mollusks. Undetermined population at the park.

Southern Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala)

A gray, tan, or green frog with round dark brown or black blotches on back. Maximum length is 5 inches, 127mm. May be confused with Rana palustris (Pickeral Frog), but the rounded instead of square blotches will identify the Leopard Frog. Predators include birds, snakes, and raccoons. Very common in the park.