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Common Frog (c) Froglife

Common Frog
Rana temporaria

The Common Frog is the UK's most common amphibian.  Like all amphibians it breeds in water but spends much of the rest of the year on land.

DESCRIPTION

Size: Adult grows up to around 9cm/3.5" long

Colour: Usually green or brown with black/brown markings but can also be found in red, yellow, cream and black.  Colour can be dependent upon the environmental conditions the frog experiences, also the females can often develop a red colour during the breeding season.

Markings: A black-brown stripe runs from the snout to behind the eye, forming distinctive mask.  The legs have dark bars/striped.

Identifying features:

  • Smooth, moist skin.  

  • Yellow coloured iris and oval shaped pupil.

  • 'Hump’ two-thirds of the way down their back.

  • Dark mask behind the eye and stripy legs.

  • Spawn laid in clumps.

Common Frog (c) FroglifeDiet: Most garden invertebrates (beetles, slugs, snails, caterpillars, spiders).

Breeding: Males and females emerge from hibernation and head straight ponds to breed in around February/March.  Males are much smaller than females and clasp tightly onto their backs with special pads on their toes.  Frogspawn is laid in clumps, usually in shallower parts of ponds.

Habitat: Hibernating under logs and rocks or at the bottom of ponds; shelters in damp places such as amongst stones or logs.  Makes use of garden ponds for breeding; prefers shallow water.

Dislikes: Predators like grass snakes, birds, foxes and fish, steep-sided ponds.

CURRENT STATUS: Thought to be declining across the UK, threatened by habitat loss and disease.  Protected by law against trade.  

DISTRIBUTION:
In your garden... Frogs have thrived in urban areas and garden ponds and are the amphibian most likely to be reported.
UK: Widespread and common across the whole of the British Isles and found in a huge diversity of habitats.

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