Aspen Stand: Amphibians and Reptiles

Mammals

Birds

Arthropods

Plants

Bryophytes/Lichens

Western Toad

The Western Toad can be any of a variety of colours, but all usually have a thin pale stripe down the back and dry, bumpy skin. Eggs are laid in long strings of jelly-like material and, once hatched, the tadpoles stay together in huge swarms that can measure as much as 100 m long. Toadlets by the thousand may be found around the edges of ponds as they leave the water to find places to over winter underground or under logs. When picked up, the toad may employ several defence mechanisms, including producing a twitter or grunting sound, and puffing itself up, or secreting a bitter poison.

Pacific Chorus Frog (Pacific Tree Frog)

This frog is often bright green, though it may also be pale tan or have dark blotches.  This frog is best distinguished by the black mask across the eyes. Round toe-pads on their long toes help them climb and cling to smooth surfaces, acting much like suction cups. This frog may be found a long way from its maternal lake, and is known to sing at any time of the year, especially after the first rains in the fall.

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Here are some more representative species in aspen stands:
Common Terrestrial Garter Snake
Long-toed Salamander
Pacific Chorus Frog
Spotted Frog
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Western Toad

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