Amphibians

Along the west side of Oregon, you might spot these shy frogs hiding in wetlands and forests. Adult frogs have scattered black spots on their smooth skin and a splash of red on the underside of their bellies and back legs, which makes them easy to recognize. Fun fact: They can call underwater. Watch for them in February and March when they migrate to ponds to breed, often crossing roads and facing big dangers along the way. This is the largest native frog species in Oregon, with females growing up to 4 inches (not counting their long legs)!

Rocky crevices within the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California are prime habitat for these salamanders to stay cool and keep their skin moist. During wetter months, they may venture into nearby forests. Like most salamanders, they don’t have lungs. Instead, they breathe through their skin! That’s why staying damp is super important for their survival. It’s unlikely you’ll catch a glimpse of these elusive creatures — they only emerge when it’s dark and rainy. For food, they eat small invertebrates like bugs and spiders. They live in a very specific type of environment in just a few locations. This makes them sensitive to changes caused by logging, drought and fluctuating river flows due to dams.

These toads are easy to spot with their dry, bumpy skin, thin stripes running down their back and horizontal pupils. Toads tend to walk or crawl rather than hop like frogs. Like most toads, they secrete a toxin to deter predators — keep your pets away from them and wash your hands if you touch a toad! They live in a wide range of habitats using wetlands for breeding and spend the day hiding in burrows or under debris to stay cool. You might see a knot (a group) of adults or toadlets migrate from water to the forest — or forest to water depending on the time of year. Migration makes them vulnerable to vehicle traffic, and changes in water levels also threaten their survival.