iN PHOTOS: Warty, wet and web-toed amphibians busy breeding in Kamloops, Okanagan

Many species of amphibians are busy this time of year,  living and breeding in wetlands in Kamloops and the Okanagan, and while these fascinating creatures are masters of camouflage, local outdoor enthusiasts were able to spot some of them.  The Columbia spotted frog has smooth skin with small bumps https://canadianherpetology.ca/species/species_page.html?cname=Columbia%20Spotted%20Frog , upward angled eyes and extensive toe webbing. Found in wetlands, lakes and ponds throughout the province, the frogs hibernate deep underwater all winter before emerging to breed and deposit large gelatinous masses of eggs they attach to vegetation. The Pacific tree frog is also known as the Pacific chorus frog https://canadianherpetology.ca/species/species_page.html?cname=Pacific%20Treefrog . It can be identified by a dark stripe that runs from the snout, through the eye to the shoulder. These smaller frogs have circular toe pads and granular skin. You can find Pacific tree frogs in aquatic habitats in southern BC in the spring when they come out from underwater hibernation to breed. They lay small clusters of eggs that attach to submerged vegetation. Western long toed salamanders are found in southwestern BC https://canadianherpetology.ca/species/species_page.html?cname=Western%20Long-toed%20Salamander  in permanent or semi-permanent lakes, ponds or wetlands. These amphibians have a lizard-like appearance and hibernate in burrows under the frost line. In spring, they lay eggs on submerged sticks and vegetation, but spend time on the ground near the water seeking shelter and food in moist micro habitats. Western toads are large with wart-like bumps https://canadianherpetology.ca/species/species_page.html?cname=Western%20Toad and a big parotoid gland behind each eye. They hibernate below the frost line in mammal burrows over winter. In spring, the toads lay thousands of eggs in long strips up to 20 metres in length in aquatic areas before moving into meadows, forests and dryer areas. READ MORE: Indigenous knowledge and values add sustainability to Okanagan forest industry https://infotel.ca/newsitem/indigenous-knowledge-and-values-add-sustainability-to-okanagan-forest-industry/it104449 Amphibians rely on wetlands for life and breeding, which continue to be lost due to urban development. https://infotel.ca/newsitem/why-protecting-whats-left-of-wetlands-in-kamloops-okanagan-matters/it104129 Environment pollutants can kill amphibian populations or cause deformities, and the creatures are at risk of getting run over where roads intersect spring migrations. If you have photos of amphibians you want to share, send them to news@infonews.ca mailto:news@infonews.ca . To contact a reporter for this story, email Shannon Ainslie mailto:sainslie@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-6089 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .