In Yellowstone, the only salamander in the park is widespread in a great variety of habitats, with sizable populations in Lamar Valley.
It occurs in the United States throughout Montana, northwestern Wisconsin, northeastern Arizona, northern New Mexico and southwestern Utah.
It lives in moist meadows and forests near wetlands and lays eggs in loose, irregular clusters attached to submerged vegetation in quiet water.
They lay eggs in shallow, sun-warmed water, such as ponds, lake edges, slow streams, and river backwaters.
Its color ranges from a dark, olive green to light brown with irregularly-shaped black spots on its back and legs (rendering its name).
Individuals can be distinguished from other Rana species by their shorter back legs, narrow snout and upturned eyes.