Common Frog
Rana temporaria
The common frog is a widespread European amphibian belonging to the family of true frogs. It features a robust body with highly variable coloration ranging from brown to grey or reddish. It is known for its distinct dark temporal patch behind the eye and is one of the earliest amphibians to migrate to breeding ponds in spring.
Details
Identification
Dark temporal patch, blunt snout, upper side often irregularly spotted with black, heel test: the heel does not reach beyond the tip of the snout.
Social behavior
Largely solitary outside the breeding season; forms large aggregations in water bodies during the spawning period.
Diet
Insects, spiders, worms, slugs, and woodlice; tadpoles feed on algae and detritus.
Hunting strategy
Ambush predator; prey is captured rapidly using a sticky projectile tongue.
Spawning substrate
Shallow water zones with vegetation; eggs are laid in large, gelatinous clumps (frogspawn).
Overwintering
Hibernation; either aquatic at the bottom of oxygen-rich water bodies or terrestrial in frost-free burrows.
Ecology
Ecological role
Important consumer of invertebrates and significant prey for numerous vertebrates; acts as a link in the energy flow.
Natural predators
Grass snake, grey heron, white stork, brown rat, fox, various marten species.
Competitor species
Other amphibians such as the common toad or agile frog (competition for food and space).
Ecosystem service
Natural pest control by consuming insects and slugs in gardens and agriculture.
Threats
Loss of small water bodies, habitat fragmentation by roads, pesticide use, climate change (drying out).
Scientific profile
Profile
Distinguishing features
Blunt snout, large tympanum (about 2/3 to 3/4 of eye diameter), metatarsal tubercle small, soft, and flat.