Cascades frog

Description:

Brown, copper, tan, to olive green above, yellowish below and on the back of the legs. Black spots with distinctly-marked edges are usually present on the back. The sides are cream colored, and there is dark mottling on the groin. An upper jaw stripe extending to the shoulder. The feet are partially webbed and the eyes are outward. Depending on the situation, the spots may change color from the lighter gray/brown to a darker black spot. The colors on the frog’s back are also used to attract mates. The shape of the frog’s head is most commonly an oval with the mouth coming out to a slight specific point. Adult frogs range from 50 to 65 mm in length.

Habitat:

I was lucky to find two of these frogs in their natural habitat. A small snow run-off pool only 8 to 10 cm deep and 1.5 meters across. Spotted in an alpine meadow at about 3500 ft. in the Cascade mountains. It can be found throughout the Cascade Mountains from Washington through Oregon, and California.

Notes:

Diurnal. Typically found near water at higher elevations. Rarely found below 2,000 ft.. Occurs in areas covered by winter snow, hibernating throughout winter buried in mud under several feet of water or in saturated areas around ponds. Often appears sluggish.