The tree frog is one of the most common frog species in Mississippi. As the name suggests, tree frogs spend the majority of their lives on tree branches. However, tree frogs descend from trees into ponds during mating season, which is usually March to October. The color of the frogs varies from light to dark green. Mississippi tree frogs include the Squirrel tree frog, Bird-voiced tree frog, Barking tree frog and Green tree frog. Copes Gray tree frog is able to change its color from green to gray or brown so it blends in with its surroundings.
Mississippi's list of native, pond-dwelling toads features Southern, Woodhouse's, Oak, Eastern Narrow-mouthed and Fowler's toads. Three of Mississippi's toads -- Southern, Oak and Woodhouse's -- have brown skin with dark spots. At 1 1/4 inches long, the Oak toad is the smallest toad in Mississippi and North America. The Eastern Narrow-mouthed toad has dark gray skin with light brown stripes on its sides, while Fowler's toads are gray with white blotches. Some of Mississippi's toads have black throats, including the Southern, Oak and Eastern Narrow-mouthed; these frogs create large bubbles on their throats to ward off potential predators.
As a member of Hylidae family, chorus frogs are closely related to tree frogs. This frog species receives its name from the trill noise it emits, which resembles the sound of an insect. The Magnolia State's chorus frog species include the Southern, Ornate and Mountain chorus frogs. In Mississippi, chorus frogs live in shallow pond habitats throughout the state's southern region. The largest chorus frog in Mississippi, the Mountain chorus, grows to 1 1/2 inches long. The Southern and Ornate frogs tend to burrow underground for food and shelter. All three Mississippi chorus frog species are primarily active at night.
Cricket frogs receive their name from their mating call, which sounds similar to cricket chirps. The Magnolia State has two cricket frog species, the Northern cricket frog and Southern cricket frog. These frog species spend most of their lives in aquatic habitats. Northern and Southern cricket frogs live throughout Mississippi. Northern cricket frogs tend to be bright green, while Southern cricket frogs have pale, yellowish skin. While Southern cricket frogs breed in the winter, Northern cricket frogs reproduce during early spring to early summer.