# Northern Red-legged Frog (*Rana aurora*) The Northern Red-legged Frog is a small, colorful frog with bright red legs. They love to hop around in wet places and are great at blending in with their surroundings. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Northern Red-legged Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rana_aurora_6230.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rana_aurora_6230.JPG) ## Appearance The Northern Red-legged Frog has a reddish-brown back with scattered dark spots and a lighter, mottled underside. Its most distinctive feature is the reddish color on the underside of its hind legs and lower belly. It has relatively smooth skin, distinguishing it from warty toads. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ranidae - **Genus:** Rana ## Interesting facts - Baby red-legged frogs, called tadpoles, eat algae before growing their legs and lungs! - Their large egg masses, laid in water, can contain over a thousand tiny eggs! - These frogs perform a 'release call' if accidentally grabbed by another male! - They use their amazing eyesight to spot delicious insects in low light. ## Special abilities - **Super Skin Breather:** Northern Red-legged Frogs can breathe through their moist skin that helps them absorb oxygen directly from water. - **Leap Machine:** Northern Red-legged Frogs has powerful hind legs that help them jump over 2 meters to escape danger or catch prey. - **Sticky Snatch:** Northern Red-legged Frogs has a long, sticky tongue that helps them quickly snatch insects from the air. - **Underwater Hideout:** Northern Red-legged Frogs can stay submerged for a long time because their skin absorbs oxygen, helping them hide. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.05 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 750-1500 - **Metamorphosis:** 70-120 days ## Diet & Feeding These frogs are hunters, eating many small creatures they can catch with their quick tongue! - **Age differences:** Tadpoles are primarily herbivorous, feeding on algae and detritus before becoming carnivorous adults. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Slugs, Worms, Small crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A frequent predator of frogs and tadpoles. - **Eaten by:** [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) — Wading birds often hunt frogs in shallow waters. - **Eats:** [Broad-bodied Chaser](https://www.snappit.app/explore/broad-bodied-chaser) (*Libellula depressa*) — Adult frogs hunt various insects, including dragonflies. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — Frogs forage for worms and other invertebrates. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching frogs, as they can have sensitive skin. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern 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 Northern Red-legged Frog? 4-10 cm ### How much does Northern Red-legged Frog weigh? 0.01-0.05 kg ### How long does Northern Red-legged Frog live? 5-7 years ### How fast can Northern Red-legged Frog move? 8 km/h ### What does Northern Red-legged Frog eat? These frogs are hunters, eating many small creatures they can catch with their quick tongue! ### Where is Northern Red-legged Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Northern Red-legged Frog hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Englishman River Falls Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/englishman-river-falls-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Clatsop State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clatsop-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Glines Canyon Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/glines-canyon-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Headwaters Forest Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headwaters-forest-reserve) — California, US · Forest - [Peter Roose Homestead](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peter-roose-homestead) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Be'er Sheva Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/beer-sheva-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Northern Red-legged Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-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: [Northern Red-legged Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-red-legged-frog)