Oregon Spotted Frog

Photo: Heidi Rockney
Photo: Heidi Rockney
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Rana pretiosa

What they look like

  • 4-10cm
  • Bumpy light brown or olive green skin with dark spots which are lighter in color in the center
  • Belly, sides and the underside of short hind legs are red
  • Light jaw stripe that can sometimes be very faint
  • Have skin folds along sides of back and eyes are slightly upturned
  • Very similar in appearance to Rana luteiventris

All About Amphibians

Name: Oregon Spotted Frog (Rana pretiosa)
Order: Frogs (Anura)
Family: True Frogs (Ranidae)

A close up view of a small shiny frog with light brown and dark brown markings on green vegetation
Photo: Heidi Rockney
Photo: Heidi Rockney

Oregon Spotted Frog. 

Fast Facts

Where they live

  • View a map of where they live
  • Very rare and currently with populations at Black river and Conboy Lake
  • Prefer marshes, wetlands, ponds, or other slow moving quiet water

Breeding

  • Breeding season is February-July depending on temperature and elevation
  • Lay eggs in quiet, slow water

Cool Biology Facts

  • Hibernates in winter up to a foot in the mud below water!
  • Currently very threatened in Washington state, having disappeared from 70-90% of their range
  • Highly aquatic, more so than any other Pacific Northwest frog
  • Not very adaptable and do not do well with even slight changes to their environment

Threats

  • Have severe declines in Washington state and breeding programs have been set up and have had moderate success in the reintroduction of the Oregon spotted frogs in a few areas. 
  • Main threats include nonnative species, including the bullfrog and introduced fish species and habitat loss and destruction.
  • View their status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
small brown salamander on bright green vegetation

Amphibians & Reptiles of Washington

Do you know where rattlesnakes live in our state? Or which salamander breathes through its skin? Explore the fascinating diversity of the 26 species of amphibians and 28 reptiles found in Washington state.

Learn More