CANADA Post has issued new stamps drawing attention to two of the country’s endangered frog species.
The two stamps feature the Oregon spotted frog and Fowler’s toad. Both on Canada’s endangered species list, the frogs have experienced habitat loss from human activity, invasive organisms and pollution.
Fowler’s toad (Anaxyrus fowleri)
In Canada, Fowler’s toads are found only on the north shore of Lake Erie (in Ontario), often on its sandy beaches and dunes. The primarily nocturnal animals are also found in much of the eastern United States.
Adults range in size from about 5 cm to over 8 cm in length and breed in shallow ponds, pools and marshes. They are grey to buff-coloured, with small dark spots and warts on the back, and have a white or cream-coloured belly.
Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa)
In Canada, Oregon spotted frogs live exclusively in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. In the United States, their California population has disappeared; however, they are still found in Oregon and parts of Washington state.
The webbing on their hind feet extends to the tip of their toes, making them efficient swimmers. Unlike most other frogs, their eyes are angled upward, allowing them to be almost entirely submerged while seeing above the water. Adult Oregon spotted frogs are brown or reddish-brown, with light‑centred black spots on their heads, backs, sides and legs.