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Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative
   
F eature Story
Movement and Habitat Use of the California Red-Legged Frog

November 2007
 
The California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii). Photo by G. Fellers, USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
The California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii). Photo by G. Fellers, USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
Once an abundant frog throughout much of central and southern California, the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) is now rare in the Sierra Nevada foothills and the southern portion of its range. In parts of the central California Coast Range, however, large, vigorous populations do remain. Nov. 2007 Most protection efforts for this threatened species have focused on breeding sites. A scarcity of information on habitat use beyond the breeding site has made it difficult to evaluate requirements for nonbreeding habitat and connecting movement corridors. Nonbreeding habitats are critically important for California red-legged frogs, especially for individuals that breed in temporary bodies of water, according
Habitat for the California red-legged frog around Point Reyes, California. Photos by G. Fellers, USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
to a recent USGS study published in the Journal of Herpetology. The study provides insights into movement and habitat use of this species in a coastal environment and establishes a basis for making decisions about habitat protection.
California red-legged frogs use ponds or pools for breeding during the wet season (December through March), and ponds, riparian areas, or other aquatic habitats during the rest of the year. In general, frogs move toward breeding ponds with the onset of heavy winter rains. Frogs depart from breeding ponds at varying times
throughout the rainy season, with some frogs remaining at permanent ponds all year. As seasonal breeding sites dry up, frogs may make large-scale movements across the
Transmitter used to track frog movement. The loop is placed around the frog and biologists are then able to track the animal’s path from the signals emitted by the transmitter.
Transmitter used to track frog movement. The loop is placed around the frog and biologists are then able to track the animal’s path from the signals emitted by the transmitter.
landscape to find the nearest suitable nonbreeding area, though some may move farther. The distance moved is highly dependent on the site characteristics, as influenced by the local landscape. Thus, average dispersal or migration distances measured from this or other studies cannot be used to establish habitat requirements; instead, each local habitat must be assessed by an expert familiar with the ecology of the species.
For further reading:

California Red-legged Frog Movement and Habitat Brief for Resource Managers, U.S.
Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center.

California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) Movement and Habitat Use: Implications for Conservation,
G. M. Fellers and P.M. Kleeman, 2007, Journal of Herpetology, v. 41, no. 2, p. 276-286.

Rana-draytonii-B.jpg Rana-draytonii-A.jpg
Photos by G. Fellers, USGS Western Ecological Research Center.
 

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