Common frog (Rana temporaria)

Description

What’s the World’s Favourite Species?

Common frog fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Common frog description

Undoubtedly Britain's most well-known amphibian, the common frog (Rana temporaria) 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⁾.

The male common frog tends, on average, to be slightly smaller than the female, and 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⁾.

Spanish

Rana Bermeja.

Size

Adult length: up to 8 cm ⁽²⁾

Common frog biology

Common frogs hibernate through the winter, either at the bottom of ponds (breathing through their skin) or on land under refuges such as compost heaps ⁽⁵⁾. During the rest of the year they hunt on land on damp nights; they feed on snails, slugs, worms and a range of insects ⁽⁵⁾.

In spring, male common frogs arrive at breeding areas before females, and it is thought that individuals return to their natal ponds by following scents ⁽⁵⁾. There is typically heavy competition amongst males for females, involving much croaking and wrestling. Males grab a female and remain clasped to her body for days or weeks before spawning takes place. All of the frogs in a pond tend to spawn roughly within a few days of each other. The female releases 1000 to 2000 eggs, the male then releases sperm. The eggs are coated in jelly, and are popularly known as 'frogspawn'. After 10-14 days, the tadpoles hatch, becoming free-swimming a few days later, and undergoing metamorphosis into adults 10-15 weeks after hatching. Tadpoles are vulnerable to predation by a range of aquatic creatures, including water beetles, newts and fish ⁽⁵⁾.

Common frog range

Found throughout Britain and Ireland ⁽²⁾. Elsewhere, the common frog occurs in most of Europe, with the exception of Portugal, most of Spain, Italy and Greece ⁽⁴⁾.

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Common frog habitat

The common frog is found in a wide range of habitats, and breeds in puddles, ditches, ponds and large lakes as well as urban and rural garden ponds ⁽⁵⁾. It has even been recorded breeding in running water ⁽⁵⁾.

Common frog status

The common frog is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾. It is protected in Britain under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), with respect to sale only ⁽³⁾. The common frog is also listed under Annex III of the Bern Convention ⁽⁴⁾.

Common frog threats

For several decades up until the 1970s, the common frog suffered a serious decline in Britain. Since the increase in popularity of garden ponds, however, it has experienced a welcome recovery. It is not currently threatened, but populations are vulnerable to the destruction and pollution of water bodies ⁽⁴⁾. Inbreeding in garden ponds caused by isolation is thought to be a serious problem in some areas, leading to reduced immunity and an increase in disease ⁽⁵⁾.

Common frog conservation

It is illegal to sell common frogs under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 ⁽²⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Find out more

For more on the common frog and other amphibians and reptiles of the UK:

• Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) :
  http://www.arc-trust.org/

For more on amphibians of the world:

• Amphibia Web:
  http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/search/index.html

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

Hibernate

A winter survival strategy characteristic of some mammals in which an animal's metabolic rate slows down and a state of deep sleep is attained. Whilst hibernating, animals survive on stored reserves of fat that they have accumulated in summer. In insects, the correct term for hibernation is 'diapause', a temporary pause in development and growth. Any stage of the lifecycle (eggs, larvae, pupae or adults) may enter diapause, which is typically associated with winter.

Metamorphosis

An abrupt physical change from the larval to the adult form.

Natal

Site of birth

References

1. IUCN Red List (March, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. The Herpetological Conservation Trust - common frog fact sheet (January, 2003)
   http://www.herpconstrust.org.uk/
3. The Environment Agency (1998) 'Look-up' chart of species and their legal status. Species and Habitats Handbook. The Environment Agency, Bristol.
4. Amphibia Web - common frog (January, 2003)
   http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/search/index.html
5. Beebee, T & Griffiths, R. (2000) The New Naturalist: Amphibians and reptiles- a natural history of the British herpetofauna. Harper Collins Publishers, London.