european frog

Rana temporaria

Summary 6

The common frog, Rana temporaria, also known as the European common frog or European common brown frog, is found throughout much of Europe as far north as well north of the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia and as far east as the Urals, except for most of Iberia, southern Italy, and the southern Balkans. The farthest west it can be found is Ireland, where it has long been thought erroneously to be an entirely introduced species.

Description 7

Undoubtedly Britain's most well-known amphibian, the common frog is often found in garden ponds (2). They are typically brown or greyish in colour, but some individuals may be yellow or reddish. The flanks are usually yellow, the underside white, and the upper surfaces feature variable blackish markings (5). The large hind legs feature webbed feet; they power strong jumps and an excellent swimming ability, and are covered with dark bands, which provide camouflage (5). Males tend, on average, to be slightly smaller than females, and they can be identified by whitish swellings on the inner digits of the front feet, which support dark pads during the breeding season that allow the male to effectively grasp a female (5).

Sources and Credits

  1. (c) Mircea Nita, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/30554679@N02/3127177773
  2. (c) Stanislav Krejčík, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.biolib.cz/IMG/GAL/73250.jpg
  3. (c) Erik Jørgensen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2764/4502822645_c8261b30ef.jpg
  4. (c) Biopix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/JCS%20Rana%20temporaria%2028034.jpg
  5. (c) Biopix, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.biopix.com/PhotosMedium/JCS%20Rana%20temporaria%2036323.jpg
  6. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_temporaria
  7. (c) Wildscreen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://eol.org/data_objects/6680305

More Info