The Foothill Yellow-legged Frog loves to sit at the base of a small waterfall where the splashing water keeps the rocks wet. It sits quietly and catches the insects that stop by for a drink. When you approach, it quickly dives to the bottom of the pool and hides among the rocks. This species mates later than other western frogs. It doesn't lay its eggs until the heavy spring flow of the streams has decreased; this way it avoids having its eggs washed away by the current.
Ten Facts about Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
- Length can be 1 5/8-3" (3.9-7.5 cm).
- They prefer to live in streams and rivers, and lay their eggs in masses attached to rocks underwater.
- It takes anywhere from 5 to 30 days for the eggs to hatch, depending on the temperature of the water.
- Eats earthworms, insects, and ants.
- Breeding season is March to May, when streams have slowed after winter runoff.
- The egg masses can be anywhere from 100 to 1000 eggs in one batch.
- Their voice sounds like Rasping, unmusical note given 4-5 times in rapid series; rarely heard.
- Foothill has a chemical defense in which it can protect itself from fungal infections, such as the Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.
- The foothill yellow-legged frog is a natural prey of diving beetles, water bugs, garter snakes, rough-skinned newts.
- They belong to the family of Ranidae, True Frogs.
