Ascaphidae - Tailed Frogs

There are two species of frog in this family, the Rocky Mountain tailed frog and the Coastal tailed frog. They are found in swift-moving, cold mountain streams in the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada.

They are about 2 inches in length. Male tailed frogs are smaller than female tailed frogs. The male tailed frog has a "tail." The tail is actually part of the male frog's reproductive system and is used to transfer sperm to the female. Female tailed frogs fertilize their eggs internally.

Tailed frogs can be brown, gray, or reddish in color. Tailed frog tadpoles have sucker-like mouths that they use to attach themselves to rocks in rushing water.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct Not Enough Data
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.

U.S. Status Key Threatened in US Endangered in US Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.

New Hampshire Status Key Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Introduced Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		Coastal Tailed Frog - Ascaphus truei Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog - Ascaphus montanus

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Coastal Tailed Frog - Ascaphus truei
The coastal tailed frog is found in cold, clear, rocky streams in wet forests.
Source:California Herps Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Coastal Tailed Frog - Ascaphus truei
Coastal tailed frogs are found along the Pacific coast of North America southern British Columbia to northern California.
Source:Amphiweb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School

Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog - Ascaphus montanus
Rocky Mountain tailed frog tadpoles take 1 to 4 years to become frog, depending on water temperature.
Source:Montana Field Guide Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog - Ascaphus montanus
Rocky Mountain tailed frogs are found in the Rocky Mountains and Colombia Mountains of Idaho, western Montana, northeastern Oregon, and southeastern Washington to southeastern British Columbia .
Source:California Herps Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Rocky Mountain Tailed Frog - Ascaphus montanus
The Rocky Mountain tailed frogs is also known as the inland tailed frog.
Source:Amphiweb Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School