Photo by: Rebecca Fabbri/USFWS
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
Rana boylii
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Endangered (South Coast DPS and South Sierra DPS); Threatened (North Feather DPS and Central Coast DPS); Not Listed (North Coast DPS and North Sierra DPS)
(fws.org)
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U.S. Endangered Species Act (South Sierra, South Coast, North Feather, and Central Coast distinct population segments)
(fws.org)
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These frogs are affected by altered waterflows and habitat destruction as a result of water infrastructure and recreation, competition or predation from non-native species, weather changes from climate change, and wildfires (fws.org).
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They reside from the Pacific Coast to the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades mountains (elevations reaching 5,000 feet). Their populations are found from Oregon to southern California (fws.org).
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Foothill yellow-legged frogs inhabit different vegetation types including wet meadows, mixed chaparrals, ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, and valley-foothill hardwoods or conifers. These frogs like to remain near streams and are hardly ever found away from the edge of the water. During the reproduction stage, males will gather at breeding sites and call to attract females. Females then will lay one egg mass per year, usually containing about 1,000-2,500 eggs, but can also be anywhere from 100-4,000 eggs. These frogs have a maximum life span of 10-15 years, but the most common life span is 5 years (fws.org).
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In the conservation plan from the USDA, there is a mention of methods to prevent invasive species expansions. Research of these ideas put into action would be important to see if they are effective at eliminating this major threat.
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The foothill yellow-legged frog body is mottled with gray, olive, or brown and has rough, pebbly skin. They are small to medium sized and have yellow shading on their belly and on the underside of their rear legs (fws.org).
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