DIET
As a tadpole, the tailed frogs will use their mouths to scrape away algae on the bottoms of their streams. When they grow older the adults will eat any sort of insects and invertebrates (spiders, worms, etc.)

HABITAT
The tailed frog can be found in cold, fast moving streams with rocky bottoms. These streams can be generally found in mountainous areas.
They are located in southern British Columbia to Northern California and can also be found in western Montana to Idaho.

REPRODUCTION
Due to their environment the male tailed frog inserts his sperm in to the female using his "tail". When the eggs are fertilized the female lays the eggs underneath rocks to keep the eggs from being swept away from the current. When the tadpoles develope the tadpoles latch on to the rock with their mouths against the current.

ADAPTATIONS
The biggest adaptation that this frog has besides the typical frog adaptations (skin to keep in moisture, strong hind legs for jumping, etc)is its tail. The males use the tails for mating. Unlike other frogs they can not fertilize the eggs externally. Since These frogs live in fast paced waters tailed frogs use internal fertilization.
The tadpoles also have a major adaptation. They have a mouth that can stick to smooth objects. This adaption keeps the tadpoles from being swept away.

CHARACTERISITCS

The most distinctive feature of the Tailed Frog is its tail which the mail frog uses for reproduction (See "Reproduction"). These frogs can reach up to 2 inches in length and they can be a brown, grey, or reddish sort of color. Tailed frogs also have a lighter triangle shape near its eyes.
The skin of the frog is smooth but has many warts. They also have a wide fifth toe and no external eardrum.