List of amphibians of Colorado facts for kids
Colorado is home to many amazing animals, including different kinds of Amphibians. These special creatures can live both in water and on land. In the U.S. State of Colorado, you can find wild salamanders, frogs, and toads.
Contents
What are Amphibians?
Amphibians are cold-blooded animals. This means their body temperature changes with their surroundings. They usually start their lives in water, often as eggs that hatch into larvae (like tadpoles). As they grow, they go through a big change called metamorphosis. This allows them to live on land as adults, though they still need moist places to survive.
Salamanders in Colorado
Salamanders are amphibians that look a bit like lizards. They have long bodies, tails, and four legs. In Colorado, the most well-known salamander is the Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum).
Tiger Salamander: A Colorado Resident
The Tiger Salamander is the only type of salamander found in Colorado. It's known for its dark skin with yellow spots or stripes, which look a bit like a tiger's pattern! These salamanders spend a lot of time underground or in burrows. They come out to hunt for insects and other small creatures, especially after it rains.
Frogs in Colorado
Frogs are known for their strong jumping legs, smooth skin, and loud calls. They often live near water, like ponds, lakes, and streams. Colorado has several types of frogs.
Common Frogs You Might Find
- Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans): These small frogs make a sound like crickets.
- Canyon Treefrog (Hyla arenicolor): You can often find these frogs in rocky areas and canyons.
- Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) and Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris maculata): These tiny frogs are famous for their loud, chorus-like calls, especially in spring.
- Plains Leopard Frog (Rana blairi) and Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens): These frogs have distinct dark spots that look like a leopard's pattern.
- Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica): These frogs are special because they can survive freezing temperatures in winter.
The Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad (It's a Frog!)
Even though it's called a "toad," the Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea) is actually a type of frog. It has a small head and a plump body. It often hides underground and comes out to feed on ants and termites.
The Bullfrog: An Invasive Species
The Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is a very large frog. It was brought to Colorado from other places. Because it's not native, it's considered an introduced and invasive species. Bullfrogs can harm native wildlife by eating smaller frogs, fish, and even birds.
Toads in Colorado
Toads are often confused with frogs, but they usually have drier, bumpier skin and shorter legs. They tend to spend more time on land than frogs. Colorado is home to several interesting toad species.
Different Kinds of Toads
- Western Toad (Bufo boreas): This is a common toad found across western North America, including Colorado.
- Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus): Known for its loud, trilling call, this toad lives in grasslands.
- Green Toad (Bufo debilis): This small toad has green skin with black spots.
- Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus): You can spot this toad by its reddish-orange spots. It often lives in rocky areas.
- Woodhouse's Toad (Bufo woodhousii): This is a widespread toad often found in gardens and near human homes.
Spadefoot Toads: Digging Experts
Colorado also has several types of Spadefoot Toads, including the Plains Spadefoot (Spea bombifrons), Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana), New Mexico Spadefoot (Spea multiplicata), and Couch's Spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii). These toads have a hard, spade-like growth on their back feet. They use this "spade" to dig backwards into the soil very quickly. They spend most of their lives underground, waiting for rain. When it rains, they come out to breed and find food.
See also
- Bibliography of Colorado
- Geography of Colorado
- History of Colorado
- Index of Colorado-related articles
- List of Colorado-related lists
- Outline of Colorado
