Common name: Oregon Spotted Frog
Scientific name: Rana pretiosa
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
Habitat:
Oregon Spotted Frogs are native to the Cascade Mountains of South-central Washington, Oregon and in very small populations in the Greater Vancouver area.
Diet:
Tadpoles will feed on algae, rotting vegetation and detritus, whereas adults will eat mostly invertebrates such as beetles, flies, spiders, and water striders.
Median Life Expectancy:
2-5 years
Biology:
These frogs are about 4-10cm long with colours ranging from cream to reddish-brown with spots, depending on the stage of their maturity.
Conservation efforts:
Oregon spotted frogs are Canada's most endangered amphibian. Surviving in only a handful of ponds in the Fraser Valley, efforts of captive breeding and rearing Oregon spotted frogs help to support and grow wild populations of this wetland species . This species does not make a traditional frog sound like a "ribbit" but instead makes a vocalization that sounds like someone is knocking on a door.
The Greater Vancouver Zoo along with partner organizations is part of a head-starting program for Oregon spotted frog recovery efforts. Head-starting means that egg masses are gathered in the wild (or from a captive breeding population) and the animals are given a "head start" in life by being hatched and raised to a more mature stage in a safe, predator-free environment before being re-released into the wild. This greatly increases the number of frogs surviving into adulthood.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that older Oregon Spotted Frogs tend to become a brick red colour?
