European Common Frog

Rana temporaria

The European Common Frog is a friendly frog found in gardens and fields! They love to hop around and catch bugs.

Habitat: Gardens, fields, and ponds

Appearance

The European Common Frog is typically brown, olive-green, or grey, often with darker blotches and a distinctive dark 'mask' behind its eyes. It has smooth skin and lacks prominent warts, differentiating it from toads.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyRanidaeGenusRana

European Common Frog

Interesting facts

A group of frogs can be called an army or even a knot! Wow!

Frogs don't drink water; they absorb it right through their permeable skin!

In winter, they hibernate at the bottom of ponds, even under the ice!

They shed their skin regularly and often eat it afterwards for extra nutrients!

Special abilities

European Common Frog can blend seamlessly with its environment because of its varied skin patterns and earthy colors that help them hide from predators.

European Common Frog can snatch flying insects with its long, sticky tongue that extends quickly to catch prey.

European Common Frog can breathe through its skin underwater, allowing it to stay submerged for long periods to hide or hibernate.

European Common Frog has powerful hind legs that help them jump impressive distances to escape danger or catch food.

Measurements & details

Length: 6-10 cm
Weight: 0.02-0.08 kg
Lifespan: 6-10 years
Top Speed: 10 km/h
Clutch Size: 1000-4000
Metamorphosis: 70-120 days

Diet & Feeding

These frogs are predators, eating mostly small invertebrates they find on land or near water.

Age differences: Tadpoles eat algae and plant matter, while adult frogs eat insects and small invertebrates.

Primary Foods

Slugs
Snails
Earthworms
Insects
Spiders

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eats

Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

A primary food source found in soil.

eats

Red slug

Arion rufus

Common prey in damp environments.

eaten by

Grass Snake

Natrix natrix

A common predator in their habitat.

eaten by

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Large bird preys on frogs near water.

Traits

Wildlife

Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Hibernating

Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity.