Frog spawn in a puddle by Neville Yardy 1/10
Common frog on Beeston Common by David North 2/10
Common frog in a back garden by Howard Stone 3/10
Common frog by Neville Yardy 4/10
Common frog arriving at spawning pond by Keith Temple 5/10
Common frogs by Neville Yardy 6/10
Common frog and frog spawn by David Knight 7/10
Common frogs by Julian Thomas 8/10
Common frog by Gemma Walker 9/10
Common frog by Neville Yardy 10/10

Common frog Rana temporaria

Despite its name, this species is declining in numbers. Its slender body, smooth skin and long hind legs can help differentiate this frog from a toad. Further identifiable features include a distinctive brown patch behind each brick-red eye, varying skin colour and a white or yellow underside.

Conservation status

This species has been declining in many areas. The common frog is eaten by many predators including foxes, herons, otters and bitterns. Frogs have been suffering from a disease known as ‘redleg’, so called because one of the symptoms the frog develops is lesions on the hind legs and underside, which give the legs a red appearance. The infection is extremely contagious among frogs and can lead to large numbers of frogs dying.

Related questions & advice

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Details

Did you know?

There are only seven native amphibians in Britain and the common frog is probably the best known and most common.
Frogs are now spawning earlier in the year than previously and this is thought to be one indicator of climate change.

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