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Credit Jim Foster 3/3

Pool frog Pelophylax lessonae (formerly Rana lessonae)

The northern pool frog became extinct in England at the end of the 20th century, with the last known colony at NWT Thompson Common. Research carried out in the 1990s showed that the English pool frog, belonged to a distinct and rare northern group of pool frogs found in Norway and Sweden. As a part of the Breaking New Ground Landscape Partnership Scheme, Norfolk Wildlife Trust worked with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation to plan the frogs’ return, using the latest approaches to recovering lost species. This rare amphibian has now been reintroduced to two Norfolk sites.

Conservation status

Very rare in the United Kingdom. This species is fully protected under UK law under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. It is an offence to kill, injure, capture or disturb them, and to damage or destroy pool frog breeding or resting habitats. It is also illegal to sell or trade pool frogs. This law applies to all life-stages.

Related questions & advice

What should I do if I have too much frogspawn in my pond?
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Details

Did you know? Even on very hot days pool frogs like to bask in sunshine.
Pool frogs lay their spawn later than common frogs in May and June.
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