Capitol Reef National Park - Amphibians (U.S. National Park Service)

Capitol Reef National Park contains nearly a quarter million acres in the slickrock country of southern Utah. Wildlife is diverse because of a variety of habitats such as pinyon-juniper, perennial streams, dry washes and rock cliffs.

We solicit details of the wildlife seen by visitors because such information adds immeasurably to the value of the park records. Those species with an asterisk have been identified in or near the park. For others, Capitol Reef National Park lies within their known range.

SALAMANDERS

AMSYSTOMIDAE

Mole Salamanders

Tiger Salamander* (Ambystoma tigrinum) - 900 to 3,350 meters (3,000 to 11,000 ft.) msi; frequents quiet water ponds, reservoirs, lakes, temporary rain pools, and streams that do not contain predatory fish; dark olive colored in this area; recorded on Thousand Lake Mountain.

FROGS AND TOADS

PELOBATIDAE

Spadefoot Toads

Great Basin Spadefoot Toad* (Scaphiopus intermontanus) - 1,500 to 3,050 meters (5,000 to 10,000 ft.) msl; vertical pupils; enters permanent and semi-permanent water in response to rain, in dry weather burrows into the ground; reported from South District near Halls Creek; Indian Gulch; Moki Tanks; reported from South District near Halls Creek, the Fremont River, and tanks in the Waterpocket Fold.
Western Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus hammondi) - 900 to 1,800 meters (3,000 to 6,000 ft.) msl; vertical pupils, when handled, may smell like roasted peanuts and skin secretion may cause sneezing; probably does not occur with Great Basin spadefoot, but has similar habits.

BUFONIDAE

True Toads

Boreal Toad (Bufo boreas) - 1,219 to 3,350 meters (4,000 to 11,000 ft.) msl; meadows; white or cream-colored dorsal stripes and lack of cranian crests; reported from Torrey.
Rocky Mountain Toad* (Bufo woodhousei) - 900 to 2,600 meters (3,000 to 8,500 ft.) msl; white dorsal stripe, prominent cranial crests; riparian species along river courses and ditches; reported from Fruita, Torrey, the Fremont River, Halls Creek, Sulphur Creek and tanks in the Waterpocket Fold.
Red Spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus) - 900 to 2,000 meters (3,000 to 6,500 ft.) msl; flattened head and round parotoids; usually associated with rocks; reported from Fruita, along the Fremont River and in the South District.

HYLIDAE

Tree frogs

Canyon Treefrog* (Hyla arenicolor) - 900 to 2,750 meters (3,000 to 9,000 ft.) msl; intermittent streams with rocky pools; prominent toe pads; recorded at south boundary in Halls Creek, and often numerous in Fountain Tanks.
Boreal Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata) - 2,125 to 3,350 meters (7,000 to 11,000 ft.) msl; without toe pads; grassy pools, lakes, and marshes; not reported from Capitol Reef area, probably occurs at high elevations near Capitol Reef.

RANIDAE

True Frogs

Leopard Frog* (Rana pipiens) - 900 to 3,350 meters (3,000 to 11,000 ft.) msl; oval or round dark spots with pale borders; frequents permanent water areas; reported from Fruita and Torrey; also observed along Fremont River, Grover, south boundary in Halls Creek.

(top of page)