Columbia Spotted Frog

The Columbia spotted frog is common in suitable wetland habitat in Yellowstone National Park.

Jay Fleming

 

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Rana luteiventris

Identification

• Common in deeper wetlands and beaver ponds.
• Maximum length is about 3.5 inches, newly metamorphosed juveniles less than one inch long.
• Upper surface of the adult is gray-brown to dark-olive to green, with irregular black spots; skin is bumpy; underside is cream-colored and may be splashed with brilliant orange on the thighs and arms.
• Tadpoles have long tails and may grow to three inches long.

Habitat

• Found all summer along or in rivers, streams, smaller lakes, marshes, ponds, and rain pools.
• Lay eggs in stagnant or quiet water, in globular masses surrounded by jelly.

Behavior

• Breeds from April to early June, depending on temperatures and elevation.
• Tadpoles metamorphose and grow into adults between July and September.
• Tadpoles eat aquatic plants, adults mostly eat insects but, like many other adult amphibians, are highly opportunistic in their food habits.