Is this a California red-legged frog, or not? Here are some ways to tell:

Red legs. “Excuse me, Mr. Frog, could you roll over?” Too bad frogs don’t obey commands. If they did, you could spot what the California red-legged frog is named for: the red underside of its belly and legs.

Extra big. California red-legged frogs are the largest frogs native to the western United States. They can measure between two and five inches long.

Mice on the menu. Adult red-legged frogs eat invertebrates such as insects. Really big ones eat vertebrates too—from Pacific tree frogs to California mice!

Growwwwl. I mean, “goodbye!” The frogs talk to each other like this: “unh-unh-uh-uh-grr.” They start with grunts. They end with growls.

Summer sleep. How does a summer-long nap sound? In summer or dry seasons, these frogs hole up in small burrows and leftover leaves to hibernate.

Keep it cool. Red-legged frogs don’t like the heat. They hide from the sun under tall grass and reeds.

Worst enemies. Be glad you don’t have as many enemies as the red-legged frog. Raccoons, garter snakes, bass, sunfish, cats, coyotes, and American bullfrogs are just some of the frogs’ foes.

Homeless. Cities and suburbs have spread in the frogs’ California home. Mining and grazing cattle take up land they used to live on. Besides predators, the frogs have another serious problem. Their home is disappearing.