Unveiling the Wonders of the Common Frog A Garden Pond Icon


Common frogs, our beloved amphibians, are frequent guests in garden ponds nationwide, where they diligently munch on slugs and snails. During the winter, they retreat into pond mud or under log piles for a peaceful hibernation.

Statistics:

    • Length: 8-13cm
    • Weight: 22g
    • Average Lifespan: 5-10 years
  • When to See: February to October

About
Common frogs are versatile creatures, breeding in ponds during the spring and spending much of the year foraging in woodlands, gardens, hedgerows, and tussocky grasslands. They are particularly recognized denizens of garden ponds, where they lay their eggs in sizable 'rafts' of spawn, feeding on a diverse range of invertebrates and even smaller amphibians.

How to Identify
The common frog boasts a broad spectrum of colours, ranging from green to brown, and occasionally red or yellow. It features smooth skin, a distinctive dark 'mask' behind the eye, and elongated hind legs adorned with dark bands. Their mode of movement is hopping and jumping, and they deposit spawn in large jelly-like clumps.

Distribution
Common frogs can be found throughout the country, with the exception of certain Scottish islands, some of the Isles of Scilly, and the Channel Islands.

Habitats

  • Grassland
  • Heathland and moorland
  • Freshwater
  • Farmland
  • Wetlands
  • Woodland

Did You Know

Male common frogs possess 'nuptial pads' on their front feet, aiding in gripping onto females during the breeding season. The male frog envelops the female, fertilizing her eggs as they are laid; a female frog may lay up to 4,000 eggs in a single spring! Depending on weather conditions, frogs can begin spawning as early as December or as late as April. After hatching, tadpoles undergo about 14 weeks of metamorphosis before becoming froglets.

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