It refers to animals that live both in the water and on land. Amphibians were the first vertebrates to leave the water and begin a new era of life on land. Amphibians began evolving during the age of dinosaurs, but diversified during the late Paleozoic or Carboniferous Period million years ago. Zion National Park is home to 6 species of frogs and toads, and one salamander. In the springtime, warmer temperatures, rain and snowmelt create the right conditions for frogs and toads to begin emerging.
Hyla arenicolor. This frog is plump and warty, with a toad like appearance. It has olive to brownish-grey skin with darker blotches present in most populations. A very distinctive feature of this frog is what appears like suction discs on each toe.
Primarily nocturnal; often seen along water course. During the day it can be found hiding among rocks or in stony crevices near streams, camouflaged by its color. Rana pipiens This slender brown or green frog has large distinctive dark spots outlined with light green or white.
This frog has raised dorosolateral folds which go down the entire back and a light stripe on the upper jaw. They are primarily nocturnal. The webbing on the feet does not extend to the end of the toes. Spea intermontana The Great Basin spadefoot toad is a small rotund amphibian, with gray or olive-green coloration.
The large golden-yellow eyes, with cat-like vertical pupils, are set on the sides of the head. The tympana ears are small and not easy to see. The toads have a bump between the eyes, which gives the head a distinctive shape.
