Common Name: Relict Leopard Frog
Scientific Name: Rana onca
Family: Ranidae – True Frog family
Location: United States – Nevada (Probably Extinct in Arizona and Utah)
Size: 1.75 – 3 inches (4 – 9 cm)
The Relict Leopard Frog was thought to be extinct in the 1950s but in the 1990’s, small groups of the frog was discovered. The frog was common in the border region of Arizona, Utah, and Nevada along streams, springs, and wetlands, however now they are rare. There are various reasons for the population declines in the past. Their stream habitat has been altered by damming streams and diverting water to farms and cities. Additionally some of the habitat was just destroyed to make room for cities and farms. Also, non native fish were introduced to the streams the frogs live in. These fish eat the Relict Leopard’s tadpoles and adult frogs.
Not a lot is known about the Relict Leopard Frog. The frogs breed from January to April, with peak times in February and March. The female lays up to 250 eggs in quite, shallow pools.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List currently assess the Relict Leopard Frog as Endangered with Extinction. The US governement has not added the frog to the endangered species list or even the threatened species list. Nonetheless the United State Fish and Wildlife service has stepped in to help the species out. The workers moved some of the frogs to the perfect environment, deep inside the Parashant National Monument and away from people. In this location, the frogs have been seen reproducing.