The common frog, once a regular sight in the UK, faces a grave threat to its existence. The dwindling of its habitat results from multiple factors, such as development, the decline of ponds, lack of habitat management, and disease. Despite the challenges, garden ponds have emerged as a crucial refuge for Common Frogs, especially in suburban areas.
As spring approaches, you may notice frogs spawn in garden ponds, marking the arrival of adult frogs.
Common Frog Tadpoles
In some southern parts of the UK, frog spawn can be found as early as January or February. Common Frogs are mature enough to breed when they are 2-3 years old. They go to the nearest ponds, where male frogs emit a low purring sound to attract females. So, if you hear such sounds near a pond in your garden, you can be assured that Common Frogs are nearby.
Once the male finds a suitable mate, he uses his swollen nuptial pads on his front legs to clasp the female in a mating behaviour known as ‘amplexus’. The eggs, commonly called spawn, are laid in shallow water. The eggs are small and black, enclosed in a clear jelly that comprises over 99% water.
A single clump can contain nearly 2,000 eggs. The young tadpoles hatch after two to four weeks, depending on the weather.
The tadpoles take up to 16 weeks to grow back legs and then front legs before they undergo metamorphosis into tiny froglets, ready to leave the water in early summer.
You can identify Common frog tadpoles by their faint golden brown speckles, which set them apart from Common Toad black tadpoles.
During metamorphosis, common frog tadpoles grow back legs first, followed by front legs. They depend on a diet of algae and water fleas to grow.
By June or early July, the tadpoles are frequently fully developed and have absorbed their tails.
Common Frog Ecology
Adult female common frogs can reach up to 15 cm in length, while males are typically around 10 cm. These frogs are often olive-green or brown with a dark patch behind their eyes, referred to as their “mask.”
However, common frogs have been observed in various colours, including yellow, orange, red, green, brown, and even blue. Spots or more irregular marks often decorate their backs, and their back legs may have bands of darker striping.
Common frogs have smooth, moist skin, a slightly longer back leg and a more angular head and body shape than common toads.
Adults and new froglets can leave the water and wander hundreds of meters away from a body of water. Still, as they don’t drink water, they absorb it through their skin and must remain near water sources.
Adults and froglets prepare for hibernation in autumn by feeding on invertebrates like insects, worms, slugs, and snails. Frogs use their eyes to swallow, retracting them into their heads to help push food down their throats.
As the days grow shorter and darker, common frogs can be found under rocks, in compost heaps, or at the bottom of ponds. They don’t hibernate as such and may take advantage of milder weather patches to come out and forage.
Scientists have conducted several scholarly articles looking at the differences in common frogs from various areas, demonstrating distinctly differing personalities, activities, exploration, and boldness. Frogs on islands or in isolated communities have a more outgoing personality.
Common Frog Folklore
Frogs play a significant role in British folklore.
Rain is believed to be coming in some regions if you hear a frog croaking strictly at midnight. In others, you must listen to frogs croaking during the day to indicate coming storms.
An old folklore tale dating back to the fifteenth century claims that keeping a dried frog in a pouch around your neck would prevent epileptic seizures. Live frogs appear in several folk cures; putting a live frog in your mouth is believed to cure thrush, and swallowing live frogs – presumably small ones – was said to help cure whooping cough and tuberculosis.
Some cultures believe that a frog entering your house brings good fortune, while others say it’s bad luck, as frogs are carriers of spells and curses.
However, it is generally accepted in folklore that killing a frog is a bad idea.
It is worth noting that the old witches’ potions from our children’s stories, including the toe of a frog or any other part, are not related to frogs. Instead, it refers to a toxic plant from the buttercup family, commonly known as” frog’s foot”.
Finally, the common frog and its spawn are legally protected from trade and sale in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.