Key Characteristics:
| Adult Characteristics | Tadpole Characteristics | Egg Characteristics |
|
Lack a tympanum |
||
|
Attached to bottom of stones in streams |
||
| . | . | |
|
Males don't call |
. | . |
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Pupil is vertical |
. | . |
General
Description:
These small
frogs usually attain sizes of around 40-50mm (2 in.), and are variably
colored ranging from brown, reddish-brown,
green, or gray, with some degree of mottling. A dark eye line
is often present (Nussbaum et al. 1983). Perhaps the most obvious
feature is the "tail"
on males, which is actually an intermittent organ used to transfer sperm
to females. The fifth toes
on the hind feet are wider than the other toes. Tailed Frogs lack tympanic
membranes, and it's believed that they don't have a mating call. Their
pupils vertical.
Tailed Frog tadpoles are unique in that they have a sucker-like mouth. This helps them attach to rocks, which allows them to maintain their position in the swift mountain streams where they live.
The eggs of Tailed Frogs are found attached to the bottom of stones in streams and they are unpigmented. The eggs are around 4-5mm (0.2 in.) in diameter.
Idaho
Distribution:
Tailed Frogs
are distributed throughout the central and north central forests of Idaho where
suitable habitat is found.
Habitat:
Found from sea
level to over 2000 m, in clear, cold, swift-moving mountain
streams. May be found on land during wet weather, near water in humid forests,
or in more open habitat. Stays on moist streambanks during dry weather.
Tailed Frogs are found in permanent, cool mountain streams or under stream side debris. The adults can forage up to 25m from stream in wet conditions; although this is generally at night (Nussbaum et al. 1983). The larvae are generally found attached to smooth rocks in streams.
Diet:
Larvae feed mostly
on diatoms
.
Adults eat wide variety of insects and other invertebrates.
Reproduction:
Breeds from May
through October (late August and September in Idaho). Fertilization is internal;
male has tail-like copulatory organ. Clutch size averages 44-75 eggs, which
are laid in July, and hatch from August through September. Larval period lasts
2-4 yr in mountains and northern areas, and 1 yr in a few coastal Oregon populations.
Inland populations metamorphose after 3 yr; metamorphosis starts in July and
ends in September. Adults may not breed until 7-8 yrs old, or 6-8 yrs after
metamorphosis.
Conservation:
|
Status: |
Unprotected nongame species |
|
Global Rank: |
|
|
State Rank: |
S3 |
Important
State References:
Cassirer, E.F. 1995. Wildlife
inventory, Craig Mountain, Idaho. Idaho Dept. Fish & Game, Lewiston. 182 pp.