The skin is rough and wrinkled but there are no dorso-lateral ridges as there are in the green frog (Lithobates clamitans).

Males have a yellowish throat and their tympani (eardrums) are larger than their eyes while those of females are smaller.

[3] The river frog is endemic to the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains of the southeastern United States.

[4] Its typical habitat is marshes and other wet locations with emergent vegetation near streams, rivers, ponds and lakes.

[1] Adult river frogs have a home range of about 16 square metres (170 sq ft).

They are largely nocturnal and feed on insects and other invertebrates, as well as small vertebrates, including frogs.

During hot weather they are normally found sitting in moist or wet places, presumably to avoid desiccation.