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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature:  Amphibians


California is a large state, the 3rd largest in the U.S.A., and depending on where you go, can range broadly in habitat type and, also, climate. For this reason, California plays host to a huge variety of fauna. From river otters and minks to bobcats, pikas, and flying squirrels, California boasts a diverse and intriguing fauna. But many of these animals can be secretive, shy, and nocturnal and observing them in the wild can be difficult. Most zoos are not only great places to get up close to wildlife, but many are also doing their part to bolster dwindling populations of animals still living free in the wild.

Of the 48 conterminous states, California embraces the greatest diversity of climate and terrain. The state's six life zones are the lower Sonoran (desert); upper Sonoran (foothill regions and some coastal lands); transition (coastal areas and moist northeastern counties); and the Canadian, Hudsonian, and Arctic zones, comprising California's highest elevations.
California toads and frogs are major amphibians in California nature Mammals found in the deserts of the lower Sonoran zone include the jackrabbit, kangaroo rat, squirrel, and opossum. The Texas night owl, roadrunner, cactus wren, and various species of hawk are common birds, and the sidewinder, desert tortoise, and horned toad represent the area's reptilian life.

The upper Sonoran zone is home to such mammals as the antelope, brown-footed woodrat, and ring-tailed cat. Birds distinctive to this zone are the California thrasher, bush tit, and California condor.

Animal life is abundant amid the forests of the transition zone. Colombian black-tailed deer, black bear, gray fox, cougar, bobcat, and Roosevelt elk are found. Garter snakes and rattlesnakes are common, as are such amphibians as the water-puppy and redwood salamander. The kingfisher, chickadee, towhee, and hummingbird represent the bird life of this region.
Mammals of the Canadian zone include the mountain weasel, snowshoe hare, Sierra chickaree, and several species of chipmunk. Conspicuous birds include the blue-fronted jay, Sierra hermit thrush, water ouzel, and Townsend solitaire. Birds become scarcer as one ascends to the Hudsonian zone, and the wolverine is now regarded as rare.

Only one bird is native to the high Arctic region, the Sierra rosy finch, but others often visit, including the hummingbird and Clark nutcracker. Principal mammals of this region are also visitors from other zones; the Sierra coney and white-tailed jackrabbit make their homes here. The bighorn sheep also lives in this mountainous terrain; as of April 2003, the bighorn sheep was listed as endangered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Among fauna found throughout several zones are the mule deer, coyote, mountain lion, red-shafted flicker, and several species of hawk and sparrow.
California frogs hop their way through California nature Most amphibians have moist, smooth skin and are usually found in wet environments, moving during rainfall, and in or near standing or flowing water. Exceptions are toads and newts, which can have rough or bumpy skin. And sometimes you will find amphibians in dry areas, such as on roads at night, and even in deserts with no obvious water nearby, either feeding, or moving between wet areas.

Frogs and toads have four legs, with enlarged rear legs, and no tail. An exception is the male Tailed Frog, which appears to have a short tail, which is really a reproductive organ.

They can be found during the day or at night, in water, and on land, including climbing in bushes and trees and on roads at night. Looking around ponds on warm sunny days is an excellent way to find frogs.

Frogs are not usually confused with any other type of reptile or amphibian, but frog larvae, or tadpoles, can be difficult to tell apart from salamander larvae.
Amphibians are an important indicator species to the health of an environment. These are some of the first species to die off when pollutants become too high. So keep an eye on them in your local streams and ponds.
 
Amphibians develop in water (like the tadpole) and later may move into terrestrial environments (like the tree frog) or may stay in their watery environments (like the California newt) depending on the species. Many amphibians breathe through their skin making them very sensitive to environmental toxins. There are large declines in amphibian populations in California due to loss of habitat, introduced species, and pollutants. Many species are endangered or of special concern.

Newts and salamanders are similar to lizards in appearance but they are moist and squishy in texture and they don't have claws.
Frogs        Salamanders        Newts        Toads
 
 
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