Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog

The foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) lives in rocky streams and rivers from southern California to southern Oregon. This species has coloration that varies by habitat, typically matching its surroundings to improve camouflage. They are medium-sized frogs, reaching up to 3.2 inches in length from the tip of their nose to their vents. Adults eat a variety of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates and tadpoles consume algae and detritus. Foothill yellow-legged frogs reproduce in streams and rivers from April to July, most often in their second year of life. Different populations of the species have varying conservation statuses: the South Coast and South Sierra populations are considered Endangered, while the North Coast and Feather populations are considered Threatened. These listings are because of a variety of threats, including competition with nonnative species, altered water dynamics, and climate change.

Fun Fact: Larger adult foothill yellow-legged frogs have been observed cannibalizing smaller individuals that recently completed metamorphosis.