Frogs and Toads

The most common amphibians in the park are the canyon treefrog (Hyla arenicolor), red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus), and Woodhouse's Rocky Mountain toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii). These are all riparian (streamside) species which rely on the Colorado River and its perennial tributaries in the park for breeding, since their egg-masses and tadpoles are water-bound. Although these common species require water sources, they are far more tolerant of desiccation than most other amphibians. Red-spotted toads have been found as far as one-half mile from the nearest known water source.

Northern leopard frogs (Rana [Lithobates] pipiens), which are also riparian species, are native but very rare to the Colorado River corridor. Efforts to reintroduce this species, which experienced population declines following the building of Glen Canyon Dam, are currently underway.

 

The Great Basin spadefoot (Spea intermontana) is a common species to the coniferous forests on the rim of the Grand Canyon. They live near moist grasslands near ponds or near stock tanks on the North Rim and are found in more mesic habitats on the South Rim. The Great Plains toad (Anaxyrus cognatus) may also be found in rim forests but is rare and seldom seen.

 

canyon treefrog (Hyla arenicolor)

Canyon Treefrog

• The canyon treefrog is a relatively small frog (about 2.2) inches. It has large adhesive toe pads for climbing trees and rocks.
• Tadpoles can be gray, tan, or olive, and develop a gold coloration as they mature into adult frogs.
• Resides in perennial or intermittent streams within the canyon and sometimes mixed conifer woodlands. They are often found near the water's edge where they feed on a number of small invertebrates such a beetles, caddisflies, and true bugs.

 

Woodhouse’s Rocky Mountain toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii)

Woodhouse's Rocky Mountain Toad

• The largest toad of the common species in Grand Canyon, the Woodhouse's toad can grown up to 5 inches in length. It can be distinguished from other toads as well by its tough, warty skin.
• It has oblong paratoid glands on the back of the head and a prominent cranial crest between the eyes.
• It prefers areas with permanent still water but is occasionally found near cattle tanks.

 

Red-spotted toad (Anaxyrus punctatus)

Red-spotted Toad

• The red-spotted toad can be up to 3 inches in length.
• Tadpoles are black or dark brown with metallic flecks and they develop into pale gray to tan with small red or yellowish-red warts.
• They have a flattened head and body and round glands at the back of the head behind the eyes that are about the same size as the eyes. These parotoid glands secrete a milky alkaloid substance to deter predators.
• They are found often in rocky areas near streams.

 

Facts about Frogs and Toads:

• Breeding red-spotted toads will engage in wrestling matches during the breeding season to resolve territorial disputes.
• Woodhouse’s toad and red-spotted toads have been known to hybridize.

 

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Species Attribute Definitions

Definitions

Occurrence

Occurrence values are defined below. One or more Occurrence Tags may be associated with each Occurrence value.

Present: Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

Probably Present: High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Unconfirmed: Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

Not In Park: Species is not known to occur in park.

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Occurrence Tags

Adjacent: Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

False Report: Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

Historical: Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent evidence.

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Abundance

Abundant:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in relatively large numbers.
• Plants: Large number of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large portion of the park.

Common:

• Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large numbers.
• Plants: Large numbers of individuals predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering a large portion of the park.

Uncommon:

• Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be locally common.
• Plants: Few to moderate numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered habitats or in uncommon habitats.

Rare:

• Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year.
• Plants: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare habitat.

Occasional:

• Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, but not necessarily every year.
• Plants: Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants).

Unknown: Abundance unknown

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Nativeness

Native: Species naturally occurs in park or region.

Non-native: Species occurs on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human activities.

Unknown: Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

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List Differences

The Checklist contains only those species that are designated as "present" or "probably present" in the park.

The Full List includes all the checklist species in addition to species that are unconfirmed, historically detected, or incorrectly reported as being found in the park. The full list also contains species that are "in review" because their status in the park hasn't been fully determined. Additional details about the status of each species is included in the full list.

The checklist will almost always contain fewer species than the full list.

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Species attribute definitions

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Endangered,Threatened, and Sensitive Wildlife

1 According to 66 FR 54808, 50 CFR 17.11-17.12, AGFD 2003

2 Federal Status:
E Endangered, in danger of extinction
T Threatened, severely depleted
C Candidate for listing as threatened or endangered
XN Experimental non-essential population
SC Species of Concern. Some information showing vulnerability or threat, but not enough to support listing

3 State Status:
WSCA – Wildlife of Special Concern in Arizona

4 Navajo Endangered Species List:
Group 1 (G1): No longer occurs on the Navajo Nation.
Group 2 (G2): Prospect of survival or recruitment is in jeopardy.
Group 3 (G3): Prospect of survival or recruitment is likely to be in jeopardy in the foreseeable future.

Endangered, threatened, and sensitive wildlife of potential occurrence along the Colorado River in G

Table 3-x. Endangered, threatened, and sensitive wildlife of potential occurrence along the Colorado River in GRCA.1

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