Threatened Frogs Move Into Wetlands on Tahoe National Forest Burn Scar

Last year, we shared a storyabout a threatened California red-legged frog that was spotted near the Mosquito Fire burn scar in Foresthill, California. We have more good news to share!

Just a few weeks ago, biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office and Tahoe National Forest returned to the burn scar to see if they could find any frogs. In addition to seeing new native plant growth, they were thrilled to spot TWO California red-legged frogs living in newly constructed wetlands about a mile away from where the frog was found last year!

These wetlands were built in 2021 by the Tahoe National Forest and many dedicated volunteers to resemble naturally occurring habitat. Biologists hoped that California red-legged frogs would move in, but after the fire, no one was sure if the frogs would be able to make the journey safely. Plants and large woody material that would have provided coverage to the traveling frogs lay among the ashes. Biologists think the loud chirping songs of the more common Sierran tree frog likely lured the California red-legged frogs to the new wetlands.

Now, biologists are keeping their eyes out for the tell-tale sign of successful California red-legged frog reproduction at the new wetlands- large egg masses. Let's hope that the frogs continue to make their comeback!