Amphibians of the Territories

Yes there are even amphibians found in the coldest region of Canada.

The Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have 4 species of water-dependent animals, but no salamanders or newts.

• Boreal toad - Yukon only 
• Columbia spotted frog - Yukon only 
• Northern leopard frog - Northwest Territories only 
• Boreal chorus frog - Northwest Territories only 
• Wood frog - all three territories 

Columbia spotted frog photo courtesy CARCNET

Creature Feature

Wood Frog Rana sylvatica

Wood frogs live further north than any other amphibian in North America. A freeze tolerant species, they can remain frozen at –3°C for several weeks. Up to 65% of their body fluids freeze, and they are able to thaw and freeze repeatedly.

-brown, olive, gray or near black, with black facial mask

-the most widely distributed amphibian in Canada

-can change colour shade from light to dark in fifteen minutes

-will darken when cold in order to absorb more heat

-only North American frog north of the Arctic Circle; range extends to the treeline

-can be identified by their black facial patch; called the frog with the 'robber's mask'

-scatter into woodlands after breeding, which explains their name

-those in eastern Canada have longer legs than those in the west

-call is a low, rapid, duck-like quacking

-only member of this family to hibernate on land

-are explosive breeders; swarms of pairs lay eggs within 1-2 days then return to the forest

-earliest amphibian to breed, often calling while snow and ice remain

-jelly around the egg mass turns green with the presence of algae, which provides temperature protection and camouflage

-have been introduced into western Newfoundland