A Columbia spotted frog has raised eye ridges and spots, seen near Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Loekie Vanderwal
April 30, 2024 - 6:00 AM
Many species of amphibians are busy this time of year, living and breeding in wetlands in Kamloops and the Okanagan, and while these fascinating creatures are masters of camouflage, local outdoor enthusiasts were able to spot some of them.
The Columbia spotted frog has smooth skin with small bumps, upward angled eyes and extensive toe webbing. Found in wetlands, lakes and ponds throughout the province, the frogs hibernate deep underwater all winter before emerging to breed and deposit large gelatinous masses of eggs they attach to vegetation.
The Pacific tree frog is also known as the Pacific chorus frog. It can be identified by a dark stripe that runs from the snout, through the eye to the shoulder. These smaller frogs have circular toe pads and granular skin.
You can find Pacific tree frogs in aquatic habitats in southern BC in the spring when they come out from underwater hibernation to breed. They lay small clusters of eggs that attach to submerged vegetation.
This western toad lives in a terrarium in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Jamie R D Pearce.
Western long toed salamanders are found in southwestern BC in permanent or semi-permanent lakes, ponds or wetlands. These amphibians have a lizard-like appearance and hibernate in burrows under the frost line.
In spring, they lay eggs on submerged sticks and vegetation, but spend time on the ground near the water seeking shelter and food in moist micro habitats.
Western toads are large with wart-like bumps and a big parotoid gland behind each eye. They hibernate below the frost line in mammal burrows over winter. In spring, the toads lay thousands of eggs in long strips up to 20 metres in length in aquatic areas before moving into meadows, forests and dryer areas.
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Amphibians rely on wetlands for life and breeding, which continue to be lost due to urban development. Environment pollutants can kill amphibian populations or cause deformities, and the creatures are at risk of getting run over where roads intersect spring migrations.
If you have photos of amphibians you want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca.
A Pacific tree frog suns itself on a stump in Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Marshall Krasser
A Columbia spotted frogs swims in Isobel Lake near Kamloops.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Loekie Vanderwal
A Pacific tree frog rests on a leaf in the southern Okanagan.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Alexis Friesen
A Pacific tree frog rests in a pond in the South Okanagan.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Alexis Friesen
A western long toed salamander was spotted in a pond in the southern Okanagan.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Alexis Friesen
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