Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frog

Range

They occupy the area of Western Sierra Nevada of California and Nevada in the United States.

Habitats

They are normally found in or around water (lakes, ponds, marshes, meadow and streams at high elevations, although the adults are found in rocks. They feed on variety of terrestials, tadpoles and aquatic invertebrates, they are also known to consume their own eggs as well as dead frogs. This specie of frogs sit and wait for their prey to come into sight before they strike using their large, sticky tongue to catch their prey and drag it into their mouth. They are an endangered specie. They are mainly diurnal and they produce a mink or garlic-like odour when handled to distract predators. Their reproduction is aquatic and fertilisation is external. Mating and laying of eggs occurs in water after snow has melted which is usually around May to August. They lay about 100-350eggs in water, which later hatch into tadpoles.

Identification

This specie is medium-sized and can attain maximum growth height of about 1.5 to 3.5 inches. Females are usually observed to be larger than the males. They have a olive and yellow coloration on their upper body, although they can also be grey, red, greenish-brown, usually with dark blotches. The belly and front leg area is usually yellow or very light orange. They have a slim waist, long legs, smooth skin and webbing on their hind limb.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians