The highly aquatic Columbia Spotted Frog can only live near permanent water bodies. Habitat destruction and modification is causing population declines in some parts of its range.
Picture credit: Forest Service Northern Region (USA) (Wiki Commons)
Amazing Facts About the Columbia Spotted Frog
- The Columbia Spotted Frog is highly aquatic and can only live near permanent water bodies.
- Adults eat insects, molluscs, crustaceans, spiders and even other amphibians. Larvae eat algae and organic debris.
- Typical of adult frogs, the Columbia Spotted Frog has a long sticky tongue which it flings out at high speed to capture prey.
- During breeding season, males attract females with a series of low-volume clicks or knocking sounds. The frogs also produce a shrieking alarm call when they are attacked by predators.
Threats to the Columbia Spotted Frog
- Although this species is widespread, habitat destruction and modification, e.g. via cattle grazing and water diversion, is causing population declines in some parts of its range.
- Climate change is a further threat as it is decreasing the availability of permanent water bodies which the frogs rely on.
- Climate change is also facilitating the spread of the deadly chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which has decimated amphibian populations worldwide.