Arizona Aquatic Wildlife

Stormwater pollution entering our streams, rivers, and lakes can have a harmful effect on Arizona’s aquatic wildlife. Each month, we will feature a different aquatic species native to Arizona and found within Maricopa County. This month, learn about:

Canyon Treefrog(Hyla arenicolor)

Canyon Treefrogs typically grow to 1-2 inches in length. Their skin color can be brown, grayish, or olve-gray, and may have gray or green blotches or spots. The coloration closely resembles surrounding rock formations, providing camouflage for the frogs. Canyon treefrogs can be identified by large circular pads at the end of each toe, which aid in climbing, and a dark-edged light spot under the eye.

Canyon Treefrogs can be found throughout Arizona, except in the Lower Colorado River Valley. They live along temporary, intermittent, and permanent streams and springs in rocky canyons and arroyos in semi-arid grasslands. These frogs are usually from February to November and can often be found at or near the water’s edge on warm evenings. Days or dry periods are usually spent clinging to the vertical face of a boulder, tucked inside a rock crevice, or in trees near the canyon bottom.

Canyon Treefrog larvae feed primarily on algae and are sometimes observed grazing on algae-covered rocks. Once they reach adulthood, their diet includes ants, beetles, spiders, winged insects and other invertebrates. Breeding season ranges from March to September. Females may lay 100 or more eggs at a time. The eggs may be free-floating on the surface or attached to submerged vegetation. Eggs hatch in less than two weeks and tadpoles metamorphose in 45-75 days.

Skin secretions of the Canyon Treefrog can irritate the eyes and nose. Frog populations are affected by ozone layer depletion, pollution, chytrid fungus, habitat loss, and the introduction of non-native species. Click here for more information.

Painted Turtle(Chrysemys picta)

Sonora Sucker (Catostomus insignis)

Barred Tiger Salamander(Ambystoma mavortium mavortium)

Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta)

Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius)

Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus)

Couch’s Spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii)

Sonora Mud Turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense)