Five species of frogs and three species of toads are found throughout California’s central coast region. Frogs and toads are amphibians—they live part of their lives in water and part on land. The metamorphosis of a tadpole (with a tail and gills) to an adult (with legs and the ability to breathe air) is one of the most remarkable wonders of nature.
Frogs and toads both depend on water (although sometimes they can be found up to a mile or more away from water sources), lay hundreds of eggs, can jump and swim with powerful legs, and vocalize with croaks, chirps, and a chorus of other sounds. Listening to hundreds of frogs call together is always a sound to behold.
While frogs and toads may look similar, there are some subtle (and not so subtle) differences. Frogs have smooth, slimy skin that absorbs water and oxygen. On the other hand, toads have dry, thick skin, often with bumps (commonly called warts but not really warts at all). The thickened skin helps them retain water so they can live in drier habitats. Frogs have longer legs than toads, and lay their eggs in clumps, while toads have shorter legs and lay their eggs in chains.
Frogs and toads serve important roles in aquatic habitats, and their health is often an indicator of the overall health of the watershed. They are extremely susceptible to environmental threats because of their fragile eggs and semipermeable skin. They have suffered over the last century as waterways are dammed and polluted. Climate change, disease, and non-native frogs have also put them at serious risk. All eight species of frogs and toads in our region are in in decline, and four of them have numbers so low that they are threatened with extinction unless we take serious action to protect their habitat.
California is home to a diverse array of frog and toad species. From tiny tree frogs to large and colorful toads, these amphibians thrive in the state’s varied ecosystems. Here is an overview of some of the most common frogs and toads found across California.
Pacific Treefrog
The Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) is one of the most widespread frogs in California. This small frog grows to around 1-2 inches long and can be found in a variety of habitats across the state. Its color can range from brown, grey, green or reddish. Pacific treefrogs are excellent climbers and often found in trees and bushes near water. They have enlarged toe pads to help them climb. Their call is a characteristic “ribbit” sound.
California Toad
The California toad (Anaxyrus boreas halophilus) is a very common toad residing in most parts of California except the southeast. It is a small toad, usually measuring 2-5 inches long. Its coloration is generally brown or green with a pale underside. These toads have a light stripe running down the middle of their back. They can be found in many types of habitats including forests, grasslands and suburban areas. California toads emit a high-pitched trill during breeding season.
American Bullfrog
The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is the largest frog in North America, growing up to 8 inches long They have been introduced to many parts of California Bullfrogs are aggressive predators and their introduction often negatively affects local frog populations. They have green or brown mottled coloration and very large, webbed hind feet. Bullfrogs emit a deep bellowing call that sounds like a cow’s moo.
Northern Red-legged Frog
The northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) inhabits forests and woodlands in northern California. It grows to around 3-5 inches long. Coloration can be brown, grey or olive green with black speckling on its back. As its name suggests, this frog has red undersides on its hind legs. The call of the northern red-legged frog is a series of rapid chuckling “guh” sounds.
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
As its name suggests, the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) is found in foothill streams and rivers of the Sierra Nevada and coastal mountains. They grow to around 2-4 inches long and vary from grey, brown or greenish colored. Dark irregular shaped spots pattern their backs. During breeding season, males make a rattling, snoring call that carries over long distances.
Sierran Treefrog
The Sierran treefrog (Pseudacris sierra) frequents humid forests in northern and central California. A small frog, it grows to just 1-2 inches long. Color can range from gray, brown, green or reddish brown with darker spotting. They have the ability to shift colors over a period of days or weeks to better match their surroundings. The call is a short, repeated trill sound.
Yosemite Toad
The Yosemite toad (Anaxyrus canorus) is a rare toad limited to the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada. It has warty, dry skin that can range from yellowish tan to olive green in color. Two light lines run down the Yosemite toad’s back. It spends much of its time in rodent burrows and other underground retreats. Males make a sustained, flute-like call during breeding season.
Western Spadefoot
As its name suggests, the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) has hardened spade-like projections on its hind feet for digging. Coloration ranges from grey to olive green with light stripes. Western spadefoots spend most of their lives underground, emerging to mate and feed on insects. Their call is a humming, snoring sound.
California Treefrog
The California treefrog (Pseudacris cadaverina) is a small frog of southern California that inhabits streams, marshes and pools. Adults reach 1-2 inches in length. Their color ranges from green to brown or grey, often with darker spotting on their backs. The call is a distinctive “quacking” sound, akin to a duck. California treefrogs are agile climbers.
Arroyo Toad
The arroyo toad (Anaxyrus californicus) inhabits sandy streams and rivers, often with sycamore and cottonwood trees. They are 2-3 inches long and are gray, olive green or tan colored with warty skin. A light colored stripe runs down the center of the back. Arroyo toads emit a rattling call that lasts several seconds. Loss of habitat threatens some populations.
Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana boylii)
The foothill yellow-legged frog (FYLF) was once widespread throughout the streams and rivers of the Los Padres National Forest, but today has been reduced to scattered populations in Monterey County. All southern FYLF populations have been eliminated, and the frog may disappear from the forest completely unless urgent steps are taken to identify and protect its habitat. In 2023, federal biologists finally placed the species on the endangered species list.
FYLF historically occurred from Oregon south through the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County. Its habitat consists of streams and rivers within foothill drainages, and as its name implies, its legs and lower abdomen have a notable yellowish color. Adult FYLFs can grow up to three inches long. It’s one of the most poorly-known frog species in California, as no detailed study of its life history has ever been undertaken.
The calls of the FYLF are rarely heard as the frog’s vocal sacs are very small and produce only a faint call. They call mostly underwater, where the sound of the faint call carries more easily.
California Treefrog (Pseudacris cadaverina)
California treefrogs are found from San Luis Obispo County south to Baja California. Their range overlaps with the Baja California chorus frog, and they are about the same size, but look closely and you’ll notice differences in appearance. California treefrogs are more muted in color, with gray or light brown to match their habitat. California treefrogs also lack the characteristic “eye stripe” commonly found on chorus frogs. The California treefrog’s skin is rougher and bumpier, and they are more aggressive towards other males during the breeding season.
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FAQ
What does it mean if you have a lot of toads in your yard?
Environmental Indicators. pollutants. If exposed to unhealthy levels of these things, amphibians can’t survive. If you have toads in your yard, it’s a good indication of a clean environment.
Can you touch a California toad?
Myth 2 – Toads must be completely safe to handle if they do not transmit warts: False. Toads secrete toxins through their skin so it is completely necessary to wash one’s hands after handling a toad. They also are known to pee in self-defense, especially when picked up by a human.
Is the California toad poisonous?
Anaxyrus boreas halophilus like many toads uses poison secretions from parotoid glands and warts to deter predators, although some predators are immune to the poison (California Herps 2019).
Where do California toads lay eggs?
They typically breed every spring, finding ponds or pools by scent after hunting insects on land for most of the year. As the recent drought wore on, such pools became scarce. Without sources of still water, toad pairs cannot deposit and fertilize their eggs.