Although Mink Frogs are often mistaken for Green Frogs, they are actually quite different. They are smaller in appearance and prefer a more aquatic habita. Surprisingly, Mink Frogs may also be identified by their unique scent.

Mink Frogs spend a significant amount of time underwater. They seem to prefer the shallow waters of ponds, lakes, or rivers that are rich in emergent vegetation like lily pads. Mink Frogs rarely leave the water, although it has been reported that after a very heavy rain they may venture out onto land. Raccoons and herons prey upon the Mink Frog in the wild. When a Mink Frog is alarmed, it emits an odor similar to mink musk or rotting onions, hence its name. Generally, the Mink Frog is quite elusive. It comes to the surface to feed, selecting smaller insects like spiders, damselflies, aphids, and beetles as its main diet, since these insects are easy to find. Mink Frogs are also known to eat leeches and minnows. Their calls are high and rather metallic sounding, as though someone were pounding nails or tin. Mink Frogs are quite timid and are usually easiest to see at night in the beam of a flashlight.

The appearance of the Mink Frog is quite similar to that of the Green Frog. Mink Frogs grow to about two inches in length. They have dark circles covering their backs in a reticulated pattern. The basic color of a Mink Frog is a dark olive green or greenish brown. A brighter green color marks the area around the mouth of the Mink Frog.

Mink Frogs are one of the most northerly species of frog found in North America. They live in cooler northern areas, since the tadpoles of Mink Frogs cannot develop properly in warm waters.

Mink Frogs must remain in or near water, as they dehydrate very quickly. When handled, the Mink Frog may emit a strange odor.

Generally, male Mink Frogs congregate between June and August in a permanent waterway in order to call females. Females will lay about 500 eggs underwater, usually gluing them to submerged vegetation. This jelly-like conglomerate will often detach and fall to the water's bottom in time. Mink Frogs usually do not emerge as adult frogs until the late summer of the year after they were deposited in the egg stage.