1995, Peterson et al. 1992), Wyoming, and Colorado (Carey 1993). We would recommend 

 that all sightings of this species be reported and that a monitoring program be set up for this 

 species. 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G4 S3S4. 



Spotted Frog {Rana pretiosd) 



Description: The adult has a snout-vent length of 2-4". Adults are dark to light brown, gray, or 

 olive green with dark spots (frequently with lighter centers) found on the back, sides and legs. 

 The number and pattern of spotting is quite variable. The back and sides are often covered 

 with small bumps. The underside of the legs is bright red, salmon, or orange; this bright 

 color may extend up to the chin or be replaced by a light, mottled gray on the chin, chest, 

 and/or belly. In younger subadults, bright leg color is often lacking and instead a light, 

 lemon-colored wash is present. In these subadults there is often a dark mask present, with a 

 light jaw stripe extending to the shoulder; both the mask and jaw stripe may be less obvious 

 in larger, older animals. 



Eggs and Tadpoles: Eggs are laid in large, globular masses of 1 50-500 at the surface of the 

 water. The tadpoles are dark green to brown on top with some gold flecking whereas the 

 underside has an iridescent bronze or silver color. Total length of tadpoles may reach 3"; the 

 eyes are located on top of the head. 



Similar species: The bright-colored pigment on the undersides of the adult's legs distinguish this 

 species from all other fi-ogs in Montana. Younger individuals, without colored legs, may 

 usually be distinguished from other frogs by a combination of: 1) dorsal spots usually present 

 but not surrounded by light-colored halos; 2) dorsolateral folds present; 3) toes without pads 

 at the tips; and 4) a pale gray, (rather than white) belly. 



Haoitat and Habits: Spotted Frogs are regularly found at the water's edge in openings within 

 forest habitats. Wetlands in or near treeline are also used, but populations are uncommon in 

 the large, open intermountain valleys. Eggs hatch in 2-3 weeks and tadpoles take 2-14 

 months to metamorphose, depending on water temperature (Nussbaum et al 1983, Turner 

 1958). Breeding takes place in lakes, ponds (temporary and permanent), springs, and 

 occasionally backwaters or beaver ponds in streams. All the egg masses in a particular pond 

 are often found in the same location at the margin of the pond; therefore, the eggs are 

 susceptible to drying up if pond levels recede substantially before hatching. Young and adult 

 fi-ogs often disperse into marsh and forest habitats but are not usually found far from open 

 water. The Spotted Frog was commonly found throughout the HNF from just above the 

 prairie edge at 4350 to 7050 ft. elevation near timberline. Individuals were found in every 

 type of wetland habitat, although numbers varied widely from one to 50 or more per site. 

 Eggs were found on the first sur.'eys on 1 5 May 95 at two locations in the Elkhoms and as 

 late as 25 May (last spring sur\'eys). Hatching tadpoles were seen on 17 May 95 in the Big 

 Belts; mid-large tadpoles were present during July surveys and only metamorphs were seen 

 by late August. The largest group of egg masses I have seen was found on 20 May in an old 

 beaver pond on a tributary of Beaver Creek (Appendix 2); I estimated 120 egg masses were 

 present covering an area about 6 X 8 ft. 



Sur\'eying: Adults, tadpoles, and eggs are easily seen in and along the ^^'ater during the da;>' l.-:-:: 



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