Amphibian Collections

The collections of amphibians at Rancho La Brea are relatively small compared to some other groups.

Arboreal salamanders, toads, and tree frogs have been identified thus far. All these species occur in Southern California today although not necessarily in the Los Angeles Basin. Presence of some of these species indicate that the area around the Tar Pits was probably more humid than today but there is still lots more work that is needed on these fossils.

The following taxonomic list has been taken directly from the following reference but revisions may be necessary. 
Stock, C. 1992. Rancho La Brea: A record of Pleistocene life in California. 7th ed. Revised by J.M. Harris. Science Series no.37. Los Angeles: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 113 pp.

Order Urodela
Family Plethodontidae (Lungless Salamanders)
Aneides lugubris (Hallowell, 1849) (arboreal salamander)

Order Anura
Family Bufonidae (Toads)
Bufo nestor (Camp, 1917) † (toad)
Bufo boreas Baird and Girard, 1852 (Western toad)
Bufo microscaphus Cope, 1867 (Arizona toad)

Family Hylidae (Tree/Leaf/Burrowing Frogs)
Hyla sp.

Family Ranidae (True Frogs)
Rana aurora Baird and Girard, 1852