Columbia Spotted Frog

Columbia spotted frogs (Rana Luteiventris) are found from Alaska and most of British Columbia to Washington east of the Cascades, Idaho, and portions of Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah. The Great Basin population range includes eastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, and the northern drainages of Nevada. In Idaho, it occurs in the mid-elevations of the Owyhee uplands and in southern Twin Falls county. Spotted frogs live in spring seeps, meadows, marshes, ponds and streams, and other areas where there is abundant vegetation. They often migrate along riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian corridors between habitats used for spring breeding, summer foraging and winter hibernation. The Great Basin population of Columbia spotted frogs have a light-colored stripe along the jaw and are light to dark brown or olive on their backs with varying numbers of irregular black spots. The skin texture varies from smooth to rough, and there are folds of skin on their rough backs. The coloration of their underside ranges from white to yellow, and mottling is present to varying degrees. The hind feet are large and have webbing that extends nearly the length of the hind toes. At metamorphosis (changing from tadpole to frog), they range in size from 23 to 33 mm (approximately 0.88 to 1.25 inches). In their third year, they are generally large enough that gender may be determined. As adults, they can vary in size from 50 to 90 mm (2 to 3.5 inches) depending on gender and to some extent, age. The species is currently a candidate species; for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The largest known threat to spotted frogs is habitat alteration and loss, specifically loss of wetlands used for feeding, breeding, hibernating, and migrating. Reduction or loss of habitat can be attributed at least in part to recent drought conditions, spring developments, wetland degradation, water diversions, road construction, dam construction, fire, and loss of native beavers. Other threats include predation by non-native species and diseases. Monitoring activities to assess population trend and distribution are ongoing in the southwestern Idaho portion of species range.