Threatened Amphibians Of Canada

The government of Canada has kept a list of amphibian species that are either threatened or endangered under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). It has therefore led this species to receive federal protection because of their status.

4 Threatened Amphibians of Canada

Oregon spotted frog

The Oregon spotted frog is an aquatic frog that is medium in size and is found in the south-western part of British Columbia. The Oregon spotted frog is majorly aquatic and makes its habitat in still water such as wetlands and lakes. A fully grown adult of this frog feeds on insects while tadpoles feed on rotting vegetation and algae. The larvae hatch and become a tadpole in 18-30 days and begin metamorphosis after 110-130 days. The adult becomes sexually active after their first year and has a short life. The Oregon spotted frog is listed in Canada as an endangered species. The cause of its endangered status is the introduction of bullfrogs in its habitats and the draining away of water due to human influence. In Canada, the Vancouver Aquarium and the Greater Vancouver Zoo are working to conserve this species.

Wandering salamander

This species of salamander is from the family of Plethodontidae and is found in the temperate forest of Canada. The Wandering salamander is long and slender and about 5 inches in length. It has varying colors on its back and is mostly seen to be either brown or gray. It’s found in woody debris and fallen trees in Vancouver. A female Wandering salamander lays about 9 eggs that hatch into miniature adults without undergoing the larval stage. It feeds on mites, beetles, ants, and their larvae. This species is listed as “Near Threatened” by IUCN Red List as their number is ever decreasing due to loss of habitats through illegal logging. Efforts of conserving their habitat have been taken in order to prevent their extinction.

Western toad

The western toad is a large toad species that has a length of about 5.6 – 13 cm. It is found in throughout north-west and north-central British Columbia. Its dorsal strip is white and usually greenish in color. It has skin glands in its dark blotches. Males have smoother skins than females. Western toads are found near streams, ponds, and lakes. This toad feeds on worms, slugs, and insects. This toad breeds during spring when females lay thousands of eggs. These eggs take between 3 to 12 days to hatch. The hatched tadpoles become juvenile adults after 6-8 weeks and become sexually active after 2-3 years. The western toad status is classified as sensitive and therefore there is need to conserve them. They are currently being monitored under the Alberta Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Programme (VAMP)

Cascades frog

This is a frog species in the Ranidae family and is found across Canada and the United States. This frog is found in mountains and coniferous forests. It inhabits water and its surrounding vegetation in warm periods. In the winter it lives in the soil under the bottom of the lake. Cascades frog color is olive brown and has a dark strip to its forelimbs. This frog undergoes a metamorphosis life cycle and breeds between March and August. The Cascades frog is an insectivore that feeds on insects that live in aquatic and semi-aquatic environments. Its population has declined significantly in Oregon because of habitat loss and predator . IUCN Red List has listed it as near threatened and efforts are currently in place to protect it.

Conclusion

The government has taken some efforts in trying to maintain the existence of these amphibians. The above list may not have covered the entire amphibian species that are threatened in Canada but the full information can be available online in Canada’s website for Species at Risk Registry.