Frogs and Toads of Oregon
Frogs
True Frog Family – Ranidae
Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens)
The Northern Leopard Frog has a pale complete dorsal ridge and well defined spots all over its body.
The Cascade Frog has a yellowish underside and not well-defined spots on its body.
The Oregon Spotted Frog has a red belly that doesn’t have spots on it. The Frog has a more reddish appearance than the Columbia Spotted Frog or the Cascade Frog.
The Northern Red-Legged Frog has a red belly that is spotted. The dorsal ridge is full on the frog.
The Columbia Spotted Frog has small spots all over its body and a reddish belly.
As the name suggests, the Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog has yellow on the underside of the legs and belly. It does not have a mask around its face.
Tree Frog Family – Hylidae
The Pacific Tree Frog is the only native tree frog in the state. Its really a chorus frog too, not even a Hyla Tree Frog.
Tailed Frog Family – Ascaphidae
The Coastal Tailed Frog is found on the western side of the state, near the coast, hence the name.
The Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog is found on the eastern side of the state, by the Rocky Mountains.
Toads
True Toad Family – Bufonidae
The Western Toad lacks a cranial crest.
The Woodhouse’s Toad has a cranial crest that looks like two opposing L’s.
Spadefoot Toad Family – Scaphiopodidae
Great Basin Spadefoot Toad is the only spadefoot toad in the state. It has a spade on each of its rear feet which make it easy to distinguish.
Introduced Species
The American Bullfrog is an introduced and invasive species in the state. Its large size and appetite causes serious problems for other wildlife in the state.
