The Northern Red-legged Frog (Rana aurora) is a species of amphibian, whose range is the coastal region stretching from southwest British Columbia to Northern California and is protected in British Columbia, Oregon and California. As a member of the genus Rana, this species is considered a true frog, with characteristic smooth skin and a narrow waist. This frog requires still waters for breeding and is rarely found at any great distance from its breeding ponds or marshes.
Ten Facts about Red-legged Frog
- Northern Red-legged Frog adults may attain a length of 8 centimetres (3.1 in).
- The Northern Red-legged Frog is found in western Oregon, western Washington and southwestern British Columbia including Vancouver Island.
- Habitat includes the vicinity of quiet permanent waters of streams, marshes, or (less often) ponds and other quiet bodies of water.
- Mating occurs between October to January, depending on latitude, cumulative rainfall for the season and average temperature.
- Typically stable minimum temperatures of 42 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit are required to induce breeding.
- Each female produces 200 to 1100 eggs per season.
- Egg clusters are typically about ten centimeters in diameter and may disperse into an irregular form underwater.
- Eggs hatch out in 39 to 45 days, and tadpoles require approximately 80 days to attain metamorphosis.
- They like to eat spiders, small insects, birds, lizards, small fishes, grasshopers, earthworms, butterflies.
- They are also food of many predators including, Hawks, Other frogs, snakes.
