# Water Frogs (*Pelophylax*) Water frogs are fun and lively creatures that love to hop around near ponds and lakes. They have smooth skin and can be green or brown, helping them blend in with their watery homes. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Water Frogs](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/PelophylaxLessonaeAmplex.JPG&width=800) Photo: Viridiflavus, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PelophylaxLessonaeAmplex.JPG) ## Appearance The Water Frogs has sleek, green or brownish-green skin, often marked with dark spots or stripes and sometimes a bright stripe down its back. Its long, powerful hind legs and fully webbed back feet are perfect for an aquatic lifestyle. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ranidae - **Genus:** Pelophylax ## Interesting facts - Some species can live almost entirely in water, rarely venturing onto land! - Their sticky tongues can shoot out to catch bugs faster than you can blink! - These amazing amphibians can even eat small fish and other tiny frogs! - They don't drink water like us; instead, they soak it up through their skin! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Navigator:** Water Frogs can hold their breath and absorb oxygen through their skin, allowing them to stay hidden underwater for a long time. - **Leaping Escape:** Water Frogs can launch themselves far with powerful hind legs, helping them quickly escape predators or catch elusive prey on land. - **Vocal Communicator:** Water Frogs have large vocal sacs that inflate to make loud croaking calls, helping them attract mates across watery habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 5-17 cm - **Weight:** 0.02-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1000-10000 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding Water Frogs are expert hunters, eating all sorts of small creatures both in and out of the water! - **Age differences:** Young tadpoles are herbivores, mainly eating algae, while adults are strictly carnivores. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Snails, Worms, Small fish, Tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Large birds frequently prey on adult and juvenile water frogs. - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — Snakes are common predators, especially near the water's edge. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Flies are a common and easy food source for these frogs. - **Eaten by:** Mallard Duck (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ducks and other water birds can also prey on tadpoles and small 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. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching frogs, as they can carry germs. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Water Frogs? 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 Water Frogs? 5-17 cm ### How much does Water Frogs weigh? 0.02-0.2 kg ### How long does Water Frogs live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Water Frogs move? 8 km/h ### What does Water Frogs eat? Water Frogs are expert hunters, eating all sorts of small creatures both in and out of the water! ### Where is Water Frogs usually found? Wetlands ### How does Water Frogs 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: [Water Frogs: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/water-frogs)