Frogs and toads have wide range of vocalizations that can be divided into the following categories:
- Advertisement calls
- Territorial calls
- Release calls
- Distress calls
Advertisement calls
These are sometimes called mating calls and are the principal signals given by males during the breeding season. Each species has a distinct call, though even among the same species, different dialects are found in different regions. The males normally give two note advertisement calls but this will become a continuous trill if females are approaching. This call may be fairly quiet when there is no competition, but when they have to compete with hundreds of other frogs, a much louder chorus is performed where each frog calls in turn. Females may respond to the males’ calls but are usually at a much lower intensity and more difficult to hear. It is thought that only receptive females (i.e. those that are ready to lay their eggs) respond to the mating calls of the males. In fact, in some species the sound of the mating call is believed to make the females ready to breed.
Territorial calls
During the breeding season, some male frogs warn other males to stay away by giving a territorial call. In some species, territorial calls are part of the mating call. For example, in Puerto Rico, Coqui Frogs (Eleutherodactylus spp.) have a two-note call, "co-qui." The "co" tells other male frogs to stay away, and the "qui" invites females to come closer. Other species of frogs have territorial calls that are completely distinct from their mating calls.
Release calls (male and female)
These usually consist of a series of rapidly repeated broad-spectrum notes informing the other frog that they want to be released as he has picked an inappropriate mate, either because it is another male or because the female has already deposited her eggs.
Distress calls
These may be loud screams given by some species of frogs when they are under attack from a predator. Their purpose may be to startle the predator, so allowing the frog to escape or to warn other frogs of danger.
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