There are five frogs and toads that are found in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Pacific treefrog (Hyla regilla) is the most abundant amphibian in the mountains and can be found in most stream habitats. Less abundant is the Western toad (Bufo boreas) and the California treefrog (Hyla cadaverina). The park is also home to the endangered California red-legged frog (Rana aurora). It is considered extirpated from the Santa Monica Mountains with the closest population found just to the north in the Simi Hills. One non-native species, the bullfrog (Rana catesbeianna), can also be found in the Santa Monica Mountains.

National Park Service

The Pacific treefrog (top picture) can be found in almost all stream habitats in the Santa Monica Mountains. The California treefrog (bottom picture) is not as common and can be found in streams containing large rocks and boulders.

Treefrogs

To the untrained eye, the Pacific treefrog (Hyla regilla) and the California treefrog (Hyla cadaverina) are fairly similar. Both are similar in size and sometimes even similar in coloration. Tadpoles are almost indistinguishable from each other.

The Pacific treefrog is the more common species, being found in relatively all stream habitats in the mountains. They come in three distinct color variations – green, gray, or metallic copper – and can be easily identified by their eye stripe.

The California treefrog is more habitat specific, favoring streams with large rocks and boulders. They are gray in color, often resembling granite.

USGS, Chris Brown

The Western toad (Bufo boreas) can be identified by its white dorsal stripe and wart-like appearance.

Western toad

The Western toad (Bufo boreas) can be identified by their white dorsal stripe and wart-like appearance. They can often be found in grassland habitats in the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills. The western toad lays their eggs in a long linear string, usually after winter rains, and sometimes in shallow puddles on the road.