Northern Red-legged Frog
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Two Red-legged Frogs species inhabit areas of the West Coast.
California Red-legged frog (Rana draytonii)
- Northern Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora)
Once abundant throughout the state, the California Red-legged frog population has decreased over 90% and has been listed on the Endangered Species list since 1996.
The remaining population now survives primarily along California's coastal areas, where they still compete for territory with California's coastal loving human population.
According to the Center for Biological Diversity, in 2010, "the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated more than 1.6 million acres of critical habitat for the California red-legged frog in 28 California counties. The designation is three-and-a-half times as large as the Service's 2006 designation, which the agency acknowledged was flawed because of political interference by the Bush administration."
Northern Red-legged frogs (Rana aurora) inhabit coastal and inland areas of the Pacific Northwest from northern California to British Columbia.
They prefer slow moving or still, shallow water habitats for breeding. During non-breeding season their range extends to many of the nearby forest floors.
The name red-legged frog comes from the red color of the back of the legs and bodies.
While they are not listed as endangered, their populations have declined over the years due to habitat destruction and habitat competition with the larger and more aggressive Bullfrog.
© 2005-2011 Patricia A. Michaels