Leighton Photography & Imaging

Not all frogs of the Hylidae family are actually found in trees as some are completely terrestrial, but all of them share many taxonomical characteristics.

True toads are widespread and are native to every continent except Australia and Antarctica, inhabiting a variety of environments, from arid areas to rainforest, and most lay eggs in paired strings that hatch into tadpoles. Images of toads from across North America by wildlife photographer Rich Leighton.

This group was formerly part of the family Pelobatidae. Scaphiopodids plus Pelobatids are collectively known as the Spadefoot Toads, owing to a keratinized digging spade present on each hindfoot. These toads are desert dwellers, spending considerable time underground each year until the rains arrive. At that point they rapidly move to the surface and breed explosively in temporary pools. Tadpole development is extraordinarily rapid in this group. All images are from across North America by wildlife photographer Rich Leighton.

Members of this family are known as the true frogs. Ranids have generalized frog body plans and a generalized aquatic tadpole stage. All images are from across North America by wildlife photographer Rich Leighton.