True Frogs (Family Ranidae)

The true frogs, Family Ranidae, have the widest distribution of any
frog family. They are abundant throughout most of the world, occur-

ring on all continents except Antarctica. The true frogs are present in

North America, northern South America, Europe, Asia, Madagascar,

Africa and from the East Indies to New Guinea; the species native to

Australia - the Australian wood frog (Hylarana daemelii) - is restrict-

ed to the far north.

Typically, true frogs are smooth, moist-skinned frogs, with large,
powerful legs and extensively webbed feet. The true frogs vary
greatly in size, ranging from small – such as the wood frog (Rana
sylvatica) – to the largest frog in the world, the Goliath frog
(Conraua goliath).

Back to Invntory of Amphibian Families and Species