Information about the official state amphibian of California,
the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii).
This species of frog became the official
state amphibian of California on January 1, 2015.
It is probably most well-known for its appearance
in Mark Twain's short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog
of Calaveras County". Rana draytonii is the largest native frog
in the Western United States and it is almost exclusively
located in California.
Facts About the California Red Legged Frog
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rana draytonii
SIZE: 2 to 5 inches long
NAMED AFTER: Red coloring on underside of legs and belly
LIFESPAN: Up to 10 years
HABITAT: Cool, slow moving and still ponds, pools, and streams
SOUND: Grunt and growl (unh-unh-unh-uh-oh-grr)
BREEDING PERIOD: November through April
The Red Legged Frog's Endangered Species Status
During California's gold rush period miners ate nearly
80,000 frogs pear year. More recently development
and competition from invasive species have resulted
in the loss of 70% of the frog's former habitat range.
In 1996 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
listed it as an endangered species under the Endangered
Species Act. Today the frog is found primarily in
the coastal regions of California from Marin County
to Northern Baja California.
Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee
The annual Calaveras County Fair in Northern California's Gold Country Region
always includes a frog jumping competition in memory of Mark Twain's
short story "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County".
California Red Legged Frog Resources
-
National Wildlife Federation Red Legged Frog Article
-
Wikipedia California Red Legged Frog Article
-
USGS "Frogs and Toads of Coastal Couthern California" Article
Other State Symbols of California
Natural Attractions in California
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