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species spotlight on
Rana temporaria
A.K.A. : Common Frog; European common Frog; Eurasian Common Frog.
Description / Coloration: Round snout; Large eyes with horizontal pupils; Coloration = Yellow, brown, gray, or green with irregular dark markings; Black "mask" from the corner of the mouth to the eye; Belly is very light, sometimes having dark streaks.
Size: 3 - 4 inches; Females are larger than males.
Home: Northern Europe west to western Asia.
Habitat: This frog is found living in a variety of areas: meadows, woods, moors, marshes, along bodies of fresh water.
Lifestyle: In the winter, the common frog hibernates underwater, or buried in the mud, or on land. During summer days, it hides in damp areas. It is most active during summer nights. This animal is solitary except during breeding season.
Predators: Tadpoles are prey for fish, ducks, and newts. Adults are prey for hedgehogs, badgers, otters, grass snakes, owls, and humans. Humans use these frogs for education and research.
Hunting Techniques: The frog will wait camouflaged to ambush its prey. It uses its long sticky tongue to grab its victim.
Breeding: Mating takes place in early spring. The frogs migrate to a water source. Males croak to attract females. The female frogs lay 1000 - 4000 eggs in a jelly mass. The male frogs fertilize these eggs externally. Tadpoles hatch approximately 10 days after the eggs are fertilized. Metamorphosis takes 12 - 14 weeks.
Special Talents: This frog can obtain oxygen through its skin.
Life Span: 12 years
In Captivity: Although this frog is often used as a laboratory animal, it has not been frequently been kept as a pet. Breeding in captivity is rare. Recommendations for captivity: large cage, places to hide, water area that is large enough for the frog to submerge itself, hibernation is probably required for breeding.
Special Concerns: Numbers are decling due to habitat loss, human usage, and pesticides.
