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Amphibians of Crater Lake National Park
Northern Salamander
Ambysoma gracile
This salamander has been found in the northwest corner of the park. It is rarely seen
except during its breeding season when it travels to ponds, lakes, and streams. The eggs
are laid in large jelly-like masses and the larva usually transforms into an adult the
first year but may not do so in cold climates until the second year. Its color is entirely
brown or black. It grows to six inches in length. There are large glands on the head and
along the top of the tail which secrete a sticky white poison, helping to protect it from
predators.
Long-toed Salamander
Ambystoma macrodactylum
Found throughout the park including the shores of Crater Lake, this salamander is common
in the spring under rocks and logs. It breeds in ponds. lakes, and quiet streams,
sometimes when the water is still covered with ice. The eggs are laid singly in water. The
larva may not transform until the second year. It is dusky or black and usually has a
broken stripe down its back with white specks on its sides. It grows to six inches in
length.
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
Two subspecies are found in the park. The Northern Rough-skinned Newt is found in along
moist water courses and bog areas on the western side of the park. The Crater Lake Newt is
found only within the caldera of Crater Lake. It differs form the Northern Rough-skinned
Newt in being heavily marked with black or brown on its ventral surface. Newts possess a
potent skin secretion which helps protect them from most predators. They are aquatic for a
good part of the year, breeding in lakes, ponds, and slow moving streams. The eggs are
laid singly. The color is black to dark brown on the upper surface and yellow or reddish
orange below. They grow to eight inches in length.
Oregon Salamander
Ensatina eschscholtzi oregonensis
These salamanders have been observed at Annie Spring, Vidae Falls, Red Blanket Creek, and
in the panhandle of the park and are ususally found under moist logs, bark, or rocks. The
Oregon Salamander has no lungs and breathes through its moist, slippery skin. It is
terrestrial, laying its eggs on land. The young are fuly formed when hatched. They are
brown or orang-ish, and five inches long with a constricted tail base.
Tailed Frog
Ascaphus truei
It inhabits cold running streams and has been observed in Bybee, Copeland, and Castle
Creeks. It is unique in that fertilization is internal. The eggs are laid in rosary-like
strings under stones in running streams. The tadpoles have a large sucker like mouth which
helps them cling to rocks in running water. The frog lacks an external ear and is
voiceless. It is olive, brown, gray, or sometimes reddish. The males have a tail-like
copulatory organ with a vent located at its tip.
Boreal Toad
Bufo boreas boreas
It is found throughout the park and is usually active at night but may be found during the
day along streams and moist meadows. It breeds in Crater Lake, as well as quiet ponds and
streams. The eggs are laid in long jelly like strings. The tadpoles transform into small
toads during the first year. Its color is gray or greenish, often tinged with red. There
is a light colored stripe down its back and dark blotches on the ventral surface. This
toad has numerous warts. It grows up to five inches.
Pacific Treefrog
Hyla regilla
This frog is found throughout the park and in moist areas. It is often seen during the
day. The color varies from green, brown, gray, gold, or black with a black eye stripe and
it can change colors in a few minutes. Its length is two inches. The Pacific Treefrog is
commonly heard in the evening during spring and summer. It will breed in almost any pond
or pool. The eggs are in small jelly masses attached to debris in the water. Tadpoles
transform into small frogs the first year.
Cascades Frog
Rana cascadee
Commonly found along all water course in the park, this frog is usually seen sunning along
banks where it can retreat into water to escape its enemies. This frog matures in three
years. The eggs are laid in jelly clusters in permanent bodies of water. Its length is 2.5
inches. It has sharply defined inky black spots on the back and dark spotting on the legs.
The abdomen and under side of the hind legs are yellow.
Northern Sagebrush
Lizard
Sceioporus graciosus graciosus
Lives on the ground and is infrequently observed in the park. Most observations have been
made in open dry areas such as Cleetwood Cove, Wineglass, the Pinnacles, and in the
panhandle of the park. Its tail will break off easily if predators grab hold of it,
allowing the lizard to escape. A new tail will grow back to replace the missing one. The
female lizard digs a hole in the ground in which two to seven eggs are laid. The young
hatch in the fall. The length at maturity is five inches. It is gray or brown with
blotches or crossbars and light dorsolateral stripes, usually with orange on the neck and
sides. The belly has blue patches and the throat is a white-speckled blue, although many
females lack the blue altogether.
Pygmy Horned Lizard
Phrynosoma douglassi douglassi
This infrequently seen ground-dwelling lizard has been observed in Bear, Sand, and Wheeler
Creek drainages. It prefers soft soil in well exposed, sunny areas. It is live-bearing,
producing 24 or more young in one litter. It is blue-gray, four inches long, with very
small horns on the back of its head. It may squirt a small stream of blood from a sinus at
the base of its eyes when frightened. Ants are a favorite food.
Northern Alligator
Lizard
Gerrhonotus coreuleus
This secretive lizard is occasionally seen in dense vegetation or rocky areas with sunny
exposure. Specimens form the park represent the intergradation of two subspecies:
G.c.principis, (the Northern Alligator Lizard) and G.c. shastensis (the Shasta Alligator
Lizard). The tail will break off easily if pulled. The color is greenish, heavily blotched
or barred with a dusky shading. The adult is ten inches in length.
Valley Garter Snake
Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi
This is the only snake reported in the park. It is uncommon in suitable habitats and has
been observed along the lake shore, on Wizard Island, and other water courses and bog
areas of the park. This snake usually gives birth to ten to 25 per litter. It is black,
brownishm or gray with red blotches and a yellow streak running down its back and on each
side. A completely black phase is found within the caldera of Crater Lake and may have
evolved as a result of protective coloration against black volcanic rocks. It grows to
three feet in length.
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