# Pool Frog (*Pelophylax lessonae*) The Pool Frog is a green frog that loves to live near water. They are great jumpers and can be found in ponds and wetlands, making them fun to watch as they hop around! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Pool Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rana_lessonae.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rana_lessonae.jpg) ## Appearance The Pool Frog is a medium-sized frog, typically bright green or olive with irregular dark spots and a distinct pale yellow or green stripe down its back. Males have prominent bright yellow vocal sacs. Its creamy-white belly often has grey mottling, making it distinct from common brown frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ranidae - **Genus:** Pelophylax ## Interesting facts - A Pool Frog's sticky tongue can shoot out incredibly fast, catching flying insects in a blink! - Pool Frogs make a unique 'laughing' call that can be heard far away! - Sometimes, Pool Frogs have babies with Marsh Frogs, creating a new frog species! - They can absorb oxygen directly through their skin, letting them stay submerged for a long time! ## Special abilities - **Deep Diver:** Pool Frog can hold its breath for extended dives underwater, allowing it to hide from danger or hunt aquatic prey. - **Leaping Launcher:** Pool Frog has powerful back legs that help it launch into impressive jumps, escaping danger or catching prey in a flash. - **Loud Singer:** Pool Frog has inflatable vocal sacs that amplify its unique, 'laughing' croak to attract mates across the water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4-8 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.03 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 700-3000 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-90 days ## Diet & Feeding These hungry hunters gobble up all sorts of insects and small creatures found near their watery homes! - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and detritus, while adults are carnivores that eat small animals. - **Primary Foods:** flies, beetles, spiders, slugs, small fish - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — A common bird predator that hunts frogs from the water's edge. - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — Snakes sometimes catch Pool Frogs when they venture too far from water. - **Hunts:** Common Pond Skater (*Gerris lacustris*) — Pool Frogs expertly snatch these insects from the water surface. - **Hunts:** [Four-spotted Chaser](https://www.snappit.app/explore/four-spotted-chaser) (*Libellula quadrimaculata*) — Adult dragonflies are agile prey for hungry Pool Frogs. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch frogs from a distance and don't try to catch them, as they can be slippery and scared. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pool Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Pool Frog? 4-8 cm ### How much does Pool Frog weigh? 0.01-0.03 kg ### How long does Pool Frog live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Pool Frog move? 5 km/h ### What does Pool Frog eat? These hungry hunters gobble up all sorts of insects and small creatures found near their watery homes! ### Where is Pool Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Pool Frog hunt? Ambush ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Pool Frog: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pool-frog)