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A Survey conducted in April-May, 2001 by Biologists Janet Rogers
and Bob Pietruszcka at Wanderland
Rainforest found the following Anphibans in the Coal Creek
Watershed in the Nehalem River Valley.
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Northwestern Salamander Metamorphosed adults have a chunky build. They are almost
uniformly brown, except the poison glands are lighter than the
body. The coastal grooves are pronounced. Eggs are massed in
a very firm ball of jelly about the size of a small grapefruit,
tinted green by algae which grows in the egg mass, feeding the
larvae. |
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Roughskin Newt Adults have a grainy skin surface. No copastal grooves. Eyes are a pale yellow, crossed by a distinct, dark bar. There is a strong contrast between the dark brown of the back and sides and the bright orange of the underside. Roughskin Newts live in forested, partially wooded and developed areas. They breed in ponds, lakes or stream backwaters., hatchlings and larvae live in vegetation, surface sediments or under debris. Juveniles and adults live in or under soft logs. They forage the forest floor during damp conditions. |
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Pacific Giant Salamander The Pacific Giant Salamander is the heaviest salamander in our region. They have a wide head that is massive or domed and a chunky body. They are brown or gray with bold coppery markings. They may mature asneotenic larva, which may be huge (30 cm long). Pacific Giant Salamanders live in small or mid sized streams and adjacent, moist forests. Larva live in the turbulent flow under cobbles and forage on the bank on rainy nights. Metamorphosed adults live under logs or rocks along the bank of stream. |
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Torrent Salamanders Adults have very large eyes that are perched at the end of a very short snout. Males have a distinct raised ridge on each side of the vent. Generally translucent honey tan with white or silver flecks. Underside yellow or orange. Torrent salamanders live in very cold springs, seeps, waterfall splash areas. Larvae and adults live in gravel or under small cobble in silt free areas where the water is flowing. During rainy periods, adults may be found under debris on stream banks or in stream side forests. |
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Western Red-backed salamander Dorsal stripe variable in color, with even margin not invaded by ground color; stripe reaches tip of tail; usually 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 coastal folds between adpressed limbs. Found under logs, boards, rocks, in semi-dry rocky areas where they burrow under the earth in dry weather. |
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Red Legged Frog Adults have gold eyes that look to the side. There are bold cream to yellow and black (or red) patches in the groin that are larger than the color patches further forward on the side. The underside of the hind leg is translucent red. The mask and lip line are usually vague. The call is a quiet, low-pitched, throaty or muffled stuttering. Eggs are in a soft, grapefruit to cantaloupe sized mass. Individual eggs are black above and white below. Before hatching, the egg mass often floats to the surface, where it spreads out and may look frothy. Red Legged Frogs live in moist coniferous or deciduous forests and forested wetlands. They breed in water, in cool, usually well-shaded ponds or lake edges beaver ponds or slow steams--in winter or early spring. During damp conditions, they may be found in forests far from water. |
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Pacific Tree Frog Adults are small. Toes are long and straight, tipped by round pads that are used for clinging to smooth surfaces. Frogs are extremely varied in color. They are frequently bright green or pale tan with long dark blotches. They have a distinct black mask that extends from the tip of the nose to the shoulder. Males have a dark gray inflatable throat pouch during mating season and they give loud "ribbit" call and choruses of short, high pitched trills. Pacific Tree frogs live in marshes, mountain meadows, woodland brush, and disturbed areas. They lay their eggs in shallow ponds and seasonal pools, or slow moving streams. They attach their eggs to stems, sticks, or lay them on the bottom of the pond. |
Additional infformation on Amphibians can be found at Amphibian Web
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