California red-legged frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California red-legged frog |
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| Rana draytonii | |
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| Rana draytonii |
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The California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) is a special kind of frog. It lives both in water and on land, which means it's semi-aquatic. This frog belongs to a group called "true frogs" (Ranidae). You can only find the California red-legged frog in California and Baja California, Mexico. This means it is endemic to these areas. Sadly, this frog is a near threatened species, so it is protected by law to help it survive.
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What Does It Look Like?
The California red-legged frog is one of the biggest native frogs in California. It can grow to be about 2 to 5 inches (5 to 13 cm) long. Its back is usually brown, reddish-brown, or olive green. It has small black spots and sometimes larger, dark blotches. The most special part is its belly and the underside of its legs, which are often reddish or salmon pink. This is how it got its name!
Skin and Features
This frog has smooth skin, but it might have small folds or bumps on its back. There are also two folds of skin that run down its back, one on each side. These are called dorsolateral folds. Its eyes are often a golden color.
Where Does It Live?
California red-legged frogs need specific places to live. They like quiet, still, or slow-moving water. This includes ponds, marshes, and slow parts of streams. They also need lots of plants around the water. These plants help them hide from predators.
Habitat Needs
They need deep pools of water that last all year. This is important for their eggs and tadpoles to grow. They also need areas with thick plants like cattails or willows. These plants give them cover and places to rest.
What Do They Eat?
California red-legged frogs are carnivores, which means they eat meat. They mostly eat small insects and other invertebrates. This includes beetles, flies, and worms.
Hunting Habits
Bigger frogs might also eat small fish, other frogs, or even tiny mammals. They usually hunt at night. They wait quietly for their prey to come close, then quickly snatch it with their sticky tongue.
Life Cycle of the Frog
The life of a California red-legged frog starts as an egg. Female frogs lay their eggs in large clumps in the water. These egg masses can have up to 2,000 eggs!
From Egg to Frog
The eggs hatch into tadpoles. Tadpoles live completely in the water and breathe with gills. They eat algae and other plant matter. After a few months, the tadpoles start to change. They grow legs, their tails shrink, and they develop lungs. This process is called metamorphosis. Once they are fully grown frogs, they can live on land and in water.
Why Are They Protected?
The California red-legged frog is considered "near threatened." This means their numbers are going down. They face many dangers, like losing their homes. Wetlands and ponds where they live are often drained or built over.
Other Dangers
Pollution from farms and cities can harm their water. Also, other animals like bullfrogs, which are not native to California, can eat them or compete for their food. Because of these threats, laws protect the California red-legged frog. This helps scientists and conservationists work to save them and their habitats.
Images for kids
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California red-legged frog in habitat
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Egg mass
See also
In Spanish: Rana draytonii para niños
