Northern Red-legged Frog
Rana aurora
Exhibits a gray, brown, olive, or reddish dorsum and dark blotches. White stripe runs along jaw; dark coloring behind eyes. Abdomen appears reddish and so do backs of lim…
How to identify
Exhibits a gray, brown, olive, or reddish dorsum and dark blotches. White stripe runs along jaw; dark coloring behind eyes. Abdomen appears reddish and so do backs of limbs. Dorsolateral folds are prominent. Snout-vent length can range from 4 to 13 cm. Tadpoles exhibit brownish coloring and irregular blotches of gold.
Range
Western coast of United States and Canada and some nearby islands; southward from southwestern British Columbia and Vancouver Island to northwestern California. Also found on Chichagof Island, Graham Island, and Queen Charlotte Islands.
Habitat
Stays near quiet bodies of water including marshes, pools, streams, and ponds. Habitat can range from meadows to woods. Shelters in rodent burrows and under leaves. Usually will breed in permanent water sources.
Variations
Young may display yellowish coloring under limbs and on abdomen instead of red coloring. Forelimbs and thumb base on mature males are enlarged. Mature males also exhibit more webbing than females.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Aurora: Latin for dawn
At a glance
Range
Western coast of United States and Canada and some nearby islands; southward from southwestern British Columbia and Vancouver…
Habitat
Stays near quiet bodies of water including marshes, pools, streams, and ponds. Habitat can range from meadows to woods. Shelt…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap