Green Tree Frog Range: Where They Live in the US

The American green treefrog (Dryophytes cinereus) lives across the southeastern United States. Its native range runs from the Chesapeake Bay region of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia south through the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, then west through the Gulf states to Texas and Oklahoma. It also reaches southern Illinois and southeastern Missouri along the Mississippi. This page uses that species as its meaning of green tree frog.

The name green tree frog is used for several species around the world. Because this site is US-focused, this guide covers the American green treefrog, the common green frog on porches and pond edges in the Southeast.

The ranges below come from a university wildlife database, a state herpetological society, a state museum and a conservation department. Where sources differ, we say so.

How this was made: prepared with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed at the end. Images are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of real animals or products.

Key Takeaways

• The native range centers on the southeastern United States.
• The northern edge reaches the Chesapeake Bay region and the Mississippi drainage in southern Illinois.
• Adults favor permanent water with plenty of plants.
• The species is common across most of its range and is not protected by state or federal law, according to the Virginia Herpetological Society.
• The Australian green tree frog is a different species.

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Native range at a glance

The Virginia Herpetological Society describes a range that starts at the Chesapeake Bay region of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. It runs south through the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.

It then extends west through Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma. In the Mississippi River drainage it reaches southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois.

Animal Diversity Web gives a similar picture, from Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the southeast tip of Florida and west to central Texas. Sources differ on how far into Texas the frog reaches, so check local records.

Range by region

The table groups the range by region. It is a summary, not a complete county list.

Habitat inside the range

Adults favor permanent water with plenty of emergent plants, such as swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, ditches and farm ponds, according to the Virginia Herpetological Society. Breeding happens in the water, often on floating plants.

The Florida Museum says the frog is arboreal and generally stays within about 100 yards of reliable water. It tolerates brackish water and is common on barrier islands.

Missouri Department of Conservation adds that these frogs rest by day among cattails, grasses and shrub leaves and overwinter under logs, leaf litter, bark and in tree hole crevices.

Around homes and buildings

The Virginia Herpetological Society notes that the species is often found around human dwellings. Missouri Department of Conservation lists porches, decks, gutters and pipes as places where it may turn up.

Abundance and conservation

The Virginia Herpetological Society says the species is considered common or locally abundant across most of its range and is not protected under state or federal law. It notes one localized decline reported in Florida.

The Florida Museum warns that the invasive Cuban treefrog is larger and eats native green treefrogs. For range changes and introduced populations, see our guide to green tree frog range limits and expansion.

Not the same as the Australian green tree frog

The Australian Museum lists a different species, also called the green tree frog, in northern Western Australia, the Northern Territory, northeastern South Australia, and most of Queensland and New South Wales. Adults reach up to 11 cm in body length and are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

The Florida Museum gives 1 to 2.5 inches as the usual length of the American species, so the two are easy to tell apart by size and location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do green tree frogs live in the US?

Mainly in the Southeast, from the Chesapeake Bay region south to Florida and west into Texas and Oklahoma.

Do green tree frogs live in Florida?

Yes. The Florida Museum says the species is found statewide and is native.

How far north do green tree frogs live?

The native range reaches Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, and southern Illinois in the Mississippi drainage.

Do green tree frogs live in Missouri?

Yes, mainly in the southeastern Bootheel, with isolated populations elsewhere, according to Missouri Department of Conservation.

Are green tree frogs protected?

The Virginia Herpetological Society says the species is not protected under state or federal law, but local rules may differ.

Is the Australian green tree frog the same species?

No. It is a separate species found in northern and eastern Australia.

Bottom Line

The American green treefrog is common where there is permanent water, plants and warm weather. Its range is broad, but it depends on local wetlands.

If you want to know if the frog lives near you, check your state herpetological society or wildlife agency. They often keep county-level records.

Sources

• Virginia Herpetological Society: Green Treefrog (Dryophytes cinereus), accessed Overall US range, habitat and status
• Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan): Hyla cinerea, accessed Geographic range and habitat
• Florida Museum: Green Treefrog, accessed Florida range, size and habitat
• Missouri Department of Conservation: Green Treefrog, accessed Missouri range and habitat
• Australian Museum: Green Tree Frog, accessed Range of the Australian species