Columbia Spotted Frog
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/241595417
I found this frog near the Dredge lakes trail while on a walk. It was dead and looked like it was pretty dried up, so it had probably been dead for a while. I chose to post about it because this is a somewhat rare species to see in Juneau, and I have never seen one before. I was excited to have found this frog, because I have heard of them before and have actually tried to find them but was never able to. Fish and Game says that in Southeast AK they are generally limited to river corridors. In colder environments they require a body of water that does not freeze over. The one I found was right next to Mendenhall River, so this makes sense. The ADFG website also says that they have only been reported in Juneau at one location, and that they are suspected to be introduced to the area.
This frog is found from Alaska through Coastal BC and down through the PNW to Nevada. They are a candidate species for the Endangered Species Act. Their populations are declining due to habitat destruction. These frogs breed in wetlands during the spring, and migrate along riparian corridors to feed. They hibernate in the winters.
Mining has had serious impacts on these frogs, as some metals can kill them or stop them from being able to breed.
These frogs have an interesting diet. Although their diet consists of mainly bugs and food sources that seem common to frogs, they are very opportunistic and are known to eat snails, crustaceans, and arthropods.
https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=columbiaspottedfrog.main
https://www.fws.gov/species/columbia-spotted-frog-rana-luteiventris
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_spotted_frog
Comments
I was drawn to your post because I have only seen a frog once here in Juneau and haven't really thought about it until now. I am not sure if it was this species of frog though because I just saw it hop into bushes and couldn't find it again after. I was also drawn to it because it made me think of my favorite Cup'ik word- bluq bluq which means frog. It is really sad to hear that they are on the endangered species list because of habitat destruction and mining. I also find it really interesting that not only do they eat insects but also snails, crustaceans, and arthropods.
That’s so cool to see that frogs are here in Juneau, I didn’t know they could live up here with the cold weather. You mentioned that they have been reported at one location in Juneau, where at? Since you said that they were introduced to the area, I’m surprised they haven't shown up in other places. It's also really sad to hear about how since they are on the fence about being endangered and that they have been affected by mining. But it’s pretty cool to hear that they eat the traditional bugs and stuff, but also snails, crustaceans, and arthropods.
I must admit frogs are not my favorite creature out there in the world and I had believed for a long time that I had escaped them once I moved here. However, as you have proven they are very much in our area here in Juneau! One thing that your post made me become very passionate about is the destruction of our wetlands. I think as a small town we should strive to stay that way. Every year more and more buildings are popping up and with this comes the destruction of the nature around us. Therefore creating a bad habitat for animals such as this Columbia Spotted Frog and causing it to become endangered or even fully wiped out. One thing I hope our town does is stop the process of creating new buildings and instead fix or use the old abandon buildings around us in order to save the beauty that is Juneau!
What an exciting observation, Callahan! I have only seen the Western and Boreal Toads in Southeast Alaska, and am always delighted to see them, as they tend to be somewhat cryptic. This one you've seen I had never even heard of, and was interested to read about it. Thanks for sharing an interesting observation of a species that has an imperiled status in Alaska, and which drew out the very relevant topic of how we humans impact the living things we share space with. I also was delighted how it drew out Markayla's favorite Cup'ik word, which definitely looks delightful, and I imagine is delightful to say as well!
Prof. Brooke
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