Frogs and Toads of Toronto's High Park

Discover the diversity of frogs and toads you may encounter in High Park, and their ecological importance to wetland ecosystems in Toronto.

High Park’s ponds and wetlands provide important habitat for several species of frogs and toads. The mix of species today reflects both natural occurrences and human introductions. In recent years, there have been occasional unofficial releases of Green Frogs, Northern Leopard Frogs, and Bullfrogs into the park. While some individuals may survive for a time, their populations do not appear to have fully established or persisted on their own. Nevertheless, these introductions add to the variety of amphibians that visitors may encounter around High Park’s waterways.

American Toad

The American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus), considered Toronto’s unofficial amphibian, is one of the common amphibian species observed in High Park. Well‑adapted to urban life, this terrestrial species thrives in gardens, wooded areas, and open spaces, provided that seasonal wetlands remain available for breeding. Each spring, their long, musical trill fills the air—one of the most recognizable sounds of early May in Toronto. American Toads lay their eggs in long, gelatinous strings, and the tadpoles that emerge cluster in shallow water until they develop into tiny toadlets. Because they absorb water and oxygen through their skin, toads are sensitive to pollution, making them excellent indicators of the park’s environmental health.

Green Frog

Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) are another species that has become increasingly common in High Park. Often mistaken for Bullfrogs, Green Frogs are smaller and can be distinguished by the ridges running down each side of their back. Their call, which often resembles the twang of a loose banjo string, is a familiar sound throughout the summer. These frogs breed in early summer, laying thousands of eggs that develop into tadpoles which overwinter in the water before transforming the following year. Green Frogs can be found wherever there is fresh water and an abundance of food and plant life.

Northern Leopard Frog

Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens) were once known to inhabit High Park, particularly in the 1970s, and they may occasionally still appear due to isolated releases. They are recognizable by the dark, round spots across their back and sides, which give the species its “leopard” name. Although more commonly found in marshy meadows and along larger water bodies across Ontario, they historically used ponds like those in High Park for breeding. Their deep, snore-like call is less commonly heard in the park today, but the species remains an important part of Toronto’s broader amphibian community.

Together, these frogs and toads contribute to the ecological richness of High Park. They help control insect populations, provide food for birds and other wildlife, and signal the overall health of the wetlands. Continued stewardship of the park’s ponds, marshes, and surrounding natural areas is essential to ensuring that these amphibians can thrive for years to come.

Listen and Observe, But Please Don’t Disturb

Most frogs and toads are often heard rather than seen. You can learn their calls and then go out on warm spring and summer nights to try and identify what you hear.

You can also help monitor herps in High Park! Submit your observations of reptiles and amphibians through the Herps of Ontario project on iNaturalist.

Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas

Published by Ontario Nature, the Ontario Reptile and Amphibian Atlas is the most comprehensive source of current knowledge and information about herptiles in the province.

The atlas contains 443 information-packed pages, supported by more than 70 maps and 300 photographs. The publication is the result of a decade of extensive outreach and community-building efforts that engaged people from across the province in research and conservation at an unprecedented scale.

City of Toronto's Biodiversity Booklet

Reptiles and Amphibians of Toronto is an essential resource to identify the 23 species that can be found in Toronto’s urban ecosystems. It will help you discover a new world beneath your feet and perhaps change your thinking about how we approach those ecosystems we share with animals and plants. If you want to find snakes, turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders, and learn who they are and what they do, this book is the perfect place to start.