# Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (*Rana boylii*) The Foothill Yellow-legged Frog is a small, colorful frog found near rivers and streams. They have bright yellow legs and love to hop around in the water and on land. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Foothill Yellow-legged Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rana_boylii.jpg&width=800) Photo: Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rana_boylii.jpg) ## Appearance The Foothill Yellow-legged Frog has mottled brown, gray, or reddish skin with small bumps, helping it blend into rocky streambeds. Its most distinctive feature is the bright yellow or orange wash on the underside of its hind legs and feet. It often lacks prominent dorsolateral folds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ranidae - **Genus:** Rana ## Interesting facts - Adult frogs can use their powerful legs to create splashes, startling predators away! - Tadpoles have a sucker-like mouth, helping them cling to rocks in rushing water! - These frogs lay string-like egg clumps attached to rocks, protecting them from strong river currents. - These frogs love cool, clear mountain streams, avoiding murky ponds where they cannot thrive. ## Special abilities - **Rock Gripper:** Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs have special rough skin on their belly and hind legs that helps them grip slippery rocks in fast-flowing water. - **Water Breath:** Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs can breathe through their skin, allowing them to stay underwater for a long time in oxygen-rich streams. - **Perfect Camouflage:** Foothill Yellow-legged Frogs have mottled, bumpy skin that perfectly matches the stones and pebbles of their streambed home, making them almost invisible. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3.7-7.8 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 200-800 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-150 days ## Diet & Feeding These frogs are hungry insect-eaters, snatching up bugs that come too close to their watery home. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles are vegetarians, grazing on algae; adults are carnivores eating insects and other small invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Beetles, Spiders, Crickets, Ants, Caterpillars - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes are a common predator along streambanks. - **Eaten by:** [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) — Larger fish prey on tadpoles and young frogs. - **Eats:** Bloodworm (Midge larva) (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Adult frogs ambush various stream-dwelling insects. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons forage along stream banks for frogs. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [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. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [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. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. - [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 try to catch them. They need to stay safe in their homes! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Foothill Yellow-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 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog? 3.7-7.8 cm ### How much does Foothill Yellow-legged Frog weigh? 0.005-0.03 kg ### How long does Foothill Yellow-legged Frog live? 5-7 years ### How fast can Foothill Yellow-legged Frog move? 8 km/h ### What does Foothill Yellow-legged Frog eat? These frogs are hungry insect-eaters, snatching up bugs that come too close to their watery home. ### Where is Foothill Yellow-legged Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Foothill Yellow-legged Frog hunt? Ambush ## 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: [Foothill Yellow-legged Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/foothill-yellow-legged-frog)