| Northern red-legged frog | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ranidae |
| Genus: | Rana |
| Species: | R. aurora
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rana aurora | |
The northern red-legged frog (Rana aurora) is a species of amphibian whose range is the coastal region stretching from southwest British Columbia to southern Mendocino County in Northern California, and is protected in Oregon and California.[2] As a member of the genus Rana, this species is considered a true frog, with characteristic smooth skin and a narrow waist. This frog requires still waters for breeding, and is rarely found at any great distance from its breeding ponds or marshes.
Northern red-legged frog adults may attain a length of 8 cm (3.1 in); they have dark facial masks and single characteristic light stripes along their jawlines.[3] The northern red-legged frog has long, powerful legs well adapted to jumping. It is one of two amphibian species classified as red-legged frog, the other species being the California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii); however, the latter species is found from southern Mendocino County southerly to Baja California.
- ^ IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (2015). "Rana aurora". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T58553A78906924. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T58553A78906924.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ California Wildlife, Volume I: Amphibians and Reptiles, ed. by D.C. Zeiner et al., published by the California State Department of Fish and Game, 2 May 1988
- ^ Stebbins, R.C. Amphibians and Reptiles of North America, McGraw Hill, New York (1954)