Adults are typically larger than toads and treefrogs.
Their fingers are not webbed, although their toes are joined by webs. The presence of dorsolateral folds aids in the identification of some species. Males call while floating or sitting in water. Females do not call during the breeding season, but they may give a distress call when captured by a predator. Many species lay eggs in a film on the surface of the water, while others lay eggs in large clumps attached to vegetation.