Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana muscosa)

Mountain yellow-legged frog (Rana muscosa) occur as two Distinct Population Segments (DPSs) in California: Northern California DPS and Southern California DPS (see Home Range and Critical Habitat below). The species spends most of its time directly at the water-land interface and is rarely found more than one meter away from water. On cold days and at night they move into deeper waters. Breeding at higher elevations occurs primarily in permanent lakes and ponds deeper than 4-meters. In lower elevation areas, most breeding takes place in low-gradient stretches of perennial streams.

Following breeding, frogs move to a wide variety of water bodies to forage, including streams, ephemeral ponds, marshes, and lakes. In late summer frogs leave ephemeral habitats as they begin to dry up and move to permanent water bodies. In the fall, frogs concentrate into deeper lakes and perennial streams in which they overwinter. Overwintering frogs occupy lake and stream bottoms, banks, near-shore bedrock
crevices, and springs.

Federal Status

ENDANGERED – Northern California DPS

• Critical Habitat Designation – 2016

ENDANGERED – Southern California DPS

• 5-Year Review – 2012
• Critical Habitat Designation – 2006

California Status

ENDANGERED

• CDFW A Status Review of the Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog – 2011

Survey Protocol

• Mountain Yellow-Legged Frogs Habitat Assessment and Survey Guidelines – Western Riverside County MSHCP

Home Range and Critical Habitat