Family: Ranidae, True Frogs view all from this family

Description 2-3 1/4" (5.1-8 cm). Brown with black or dark-brown spots or lichenlike markings. Dorsolateral ridges present, but may be indistinct. No dark mask. Eardrum smooth. Belly yellow to pale orange. Toes fully webbed, and toe tips dark. Male has swollen thumbs.

Voice No vocal sacs; mating call unknown.

Breeding Season dependent on altitude and weather conditions: March to May in lower regions; June to August at higher elevations. Egg masses are attached to vegetation.

Habitat Sunny stream banks and undisturbed ponds and lakes, usually with sloping gravel banks.

Range The Sierra Nevada Mountains of California and extreme w. Nevada. Separate population in the San Gabriel, San Bernardino, San Jacinto and Palomar mountains of s. California.

Discussion This is the only frog in the high Sierra, from 6,000-12,000' (1,800-3,600 m). In the south it occurs from 1,200-7,500' (365-2,300 m). It has a pungent, musky odor. Primarily diurnal.