A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

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Comparisons of the Tadpoles of California Frogs and Toads

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These are pictures comparing some of the tadpoles of frogs and toads found in California.

Comparison of Treefrog Tadpole (Pseudacris regilla group) (Top) with Western Toad Tadpole (Anaxyrus boreas) (Bottom) (Click on picture for a better view)	Immature California Treefrog tadpole (Pseudacris cadaverina) (Top) Mature California Toad tadpole (Bottom) Ventura County © Brian Hubbs

CA Red-legged Frog tadpole (Top) Treefrog tadpole (Pseudacris) (Bottom)	CA Red-legged Frog tadpole (Right) Treefrog tadpole (Pseudacris) (Left)	Foothill Yellow-legged Frog tadpole (Top) Treefrog Tadpole (Pseudacris) (Bottom)	Cascade Frog tadpole - (Left) Eyes are on top of the head. Treefrog tadpole (Pseudacris) (Right) Eyes are on the sides of the head.
The eyes of Treefrog tadpoles (Pseudacris) extend to the margins of the head when seen from above, while the eyes of tapoles of the sympatric California Red-legged Frog are inset from the margins of the head, as you can see in the above photos from Alameda County. © Joseph E. DiDonato.		Seen from above, the eyes of the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog are located away from the side of the head and the eyes of a treefrog tadpole, Pseudacris regilla, are located at the edge of the head.	Seen from above, the eyes of the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog are located away from the side of the head and the eyes of a treefrog tadpole, Pseudacris regilla, are located at the edge of the head.

Viewed from above, the eyes of a Pacific Treefrog tadpole (Pseudacris regilla) extend to the outline of the head, as you can see in the picture on the left. The eyes of the tadpoles of sympatric Rana aurora - Northern Red-legged Frog are inset from the margins of the head, as you can see in the picture on the right.

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