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About AquaFacts: AquaFacts are a resource for students who are looking for information on the animals at the Aquarium or other Aquarium-related topics. Here, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions that we’ve received about Oregon spotted frogs. The answers come from our biologists and from reputable sources that we reference at the end of this page. If you have a question about Oregon spotted frogs that’s not addressed in this page or the references below, please feel free to email our librarian.
What does the Oregon spotted frog look like?
Oregon spotted frogs look a lot like the Columbia spotted frog and the red legged Frog. In fact it takes an expert to tell Columbia spotted frogs and Oregon spotted frogs apart. Until recently they were thought to be the same species, but now researchers know that the Oregon spotted frog has a much more aquatic lifestyle than the Columbia spotted frog and spends almost all of its time in the water. The Columbia spotted frog is more common and is found in the interior of BC. Another key difference is in the angle of the eyes and you have to get pretty close to see the difference.
Adult Oregon spotted frogs can grow to a length of 5-10 cm. They have black spots with light spots on their head and back - these spots give the frog their name. Juvenile frogs are brown or olive green and adult frogs are reddish brown, brown or green. The frogs have two folds along their backs that may be lighter in colour and look like stripes.
Where is the Oregon spotted frog found?
In B.C. there are only three scattered wetlands known to contain breeding populations of the frog. The Oregon spotted frog prefers floodplains and wetlands associated with permanent water bodies and especially ponds exposed to sunlight to warm the water. When disturbed, they will swim to the bottom of the pond and may stay there for a long time, making them very difficult to find. They leave the water only for very short periods of time when foraging for food. They move from pond to pond through waterways - this makes them very vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. They prefer areas with thick algae and vegetation for cover, but may also hide under decaying vegetation.
Why is the Oregon spotted frog so important?
While it is not known exactly how Oregon spotted frogs fit into the local ecology, they do play an important role and that's why it’s so important to save them. Every species is part of an intricate web, and taking a species away from that web creates an imbalance that may have negative effects on other species.
Are Oregon spotted frogs endangered?
Early last century, there were hundreds of thousands of them, ranging from northern California up into British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. Due to habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native species, their numbers have dropped as much as 90 percent from past populations; Oregon spotted frogs are now the most endangered amphibian in Canada. The Oregon spotted frog is locally extinct (extirpated) in California, endangered in B.C. and Washington and at risk in Oregon. This means that their populations are at critically low levels.
Why is the Oregon spotted frog endangered?
Bullfrogs, introduced green frogs and predatory fish introduction compete with the Oregon spotted frogs for food and habitat and eat the tadpoles and young frogs. Oregon spotted frogs spend most of their lives in the water and require connected wetlands and floodplains for habitat. These areas are also desirable to humans for farming and development. Invasive plants such as reed canary grass can also change the habitats to the extent that they are no longer suitable for the frogs.
What is being done to save the Oregon spotted frog?
In an effort to protect this species, the Aquarium joined the Oregon Spotted Frog Recovery Team in 2000.
In 2007, Oregon spotted frog eggs were collected to establish an aquarium-based assurance population. The first ever Oregon spotted frog breeding in an aquarium environment took place in 2010. In 2011, close to 3,000 cultured tadpoles and juvenile frogs were released into natural habitats near established populations in the wild.
In addition to the assurance population, the Oregon Spotted Frog Recovery Program includes habitat management, monitoring, research, and restoration that is conducted in partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment, BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Canadian Wildlife Service, Department of National Defense, Seabird Island Band, District of Kent, Fraser Valley Regional District, Greater Vancouver Zoo, Toronto Zoo, Mountain View Conservation Centre, Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife, Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, BC Conservation Foundation, and Fraser Valley Watersheds Coalition.
The Vancouver Aquarium received the 2011 Peter Karsten Conservation award from the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA). This award recognizes the Aquarium’s Oregon Spotted Frog Conservation Program. The Peter Karsten Conservation Award acknowledges institutions working in the field of conservation for projects including habitat preservation, green operations, species restoration and support for biodiversity.
How can I help save the Oregon spotted frog?
Earth Rangers from across Canada are joining forces by starting their own Bring Back the Wild fundraising campaigns to support Oregon spotted frog conservation. To learn more about Earth Rangers and how they are supporting the Aquarium's Oregon spotted frog project visit this web site. Earth Rangers is the kids conservation organization. Their mission is to educate children about the importance of biodiversity and empower them to protect animals and their habitats.
You can also help by making a donation to the Aquarium's Oregon spotted frog conseravation program.
References
Funding for this Oregon spotted frog Aquafact was provided in part by the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund.
Permission is granted by the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre for classroom teachers to make copies for non-commercial use. This permission does not extend to copying for promotional purposes, creating new collective works, or resale.
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