# California Red-legged Frog (*Rana draytonii*) The California Red-legged Frog is a special frog that loves to hop around in wet places. It has beautiful red spots on its legs and a big, round body. These frogs are great jumpers and can leap far! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Red-legged Frog ![California Red-legged Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rana_aurora.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rana_aurora.jpg) ## Appearance The California Red-legged Frog is a large, sturdy amphibian with reddish-brown or gray skin mottled with black spots. It is easily distinguished by the prominent red or salmon color on the underside of its powerful hind legs and lower belly. Its dorsal skin can appear rough or warty. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ranidae - **Genus:** Rana ## Interesting facts - Its calls sound like soft grunts or "ribbit-ribbit" croaks, especially in spring! - Its huge egg masses can contain over 6,000 eggs, like jelly balloons! - Mark Twain's famous jumping frog story was set in its historic habitat! - These frogs can absorb water and oxygen right through their smooth, moist skin! ## Special abilities - **Leap Power:** California Red-legged Frog can jump up to 20 feet because of its powerful hind legs, helping it escape danger. - **Underwater Breath-Hold:** California Red-legged Frog can stay submerged for over 20 minutes, which helps it hide from predators. - **Ambush Tongue:** California Red-legged Frog has a lightning-fast, sticky tongue that helps it snatch insects from the air or water. - **Stealth Camouflage:** California Red-legged Frog has mottled brown and gray skin that helps it blend perfectly into muddy pond edges. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4-13 cm - **Weight:** 0.015-0.13 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-12 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 750-6000 - **Metamorphosis:** 105-210 days ## Diet & Feeding This frog is a hungry predator, snatching up insects and other small creatures with its quick tongue! - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and detritus, while adults are carnivores eating insects and small animals. - **Primary Foods:** insects, snails, worms, small fish, other frogs - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Rana catesbeiana*) — Invasive bullfrogs prey heavily on both tadpoles and adult frogs. - **Eaten by:** Two-striped Gartersnake (*Thamnophis atratus*) — Gartersnakes are common predators, hunting adults and tadpoles near water. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons forage along pond edges, preying on adult frogs and eggs. - **Eats:** [Blue Dasher](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-dasher) (*Pachydiplax longipennis*) — Adult frogs snatch dragonflies from the air or water surface. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch frogs from a distance and don't touch them, as they can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify California Red-legged Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is California Red-legged Frog? 4-13 cm ### How much does California Red-legged Frog weigh? 0.015-0.13 kg ### How long does California Red-legged Frog live? 8-12 years ### How fast can California Red-legged Frog move? 5 km/h ### What does California Red-legged Frog eat? This frog is a hungry predator, snatching up insects and other small creatures with its quick tongue! ### Where is California Red-legged Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does California Red-legged Frog hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Fort Funston](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-funston) — California, US · Natural Landmark - [Russian Hill-Paris Block Architectural District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/russian-hill-paris-block-architectural-district) — California, US · Historic District - [Russian Hill-Vallejo Street Crest Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/russian-hill-vallejo-street-crest-historic-district) — California, US · Historic District - [San Mateo Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-mateo-arboretum) — California, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see California Red-legged Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/california-red-legged-frog) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [California Red-legged Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-red-legged-frog)