Edible Frogs
The Edible Frog is a species of frog found across Europe that is also known as the Common Water Frog and the Green Frog.
The Edible Frog is one of the few animals in the world that is a fertile hybrid of 2 different species, as although similar but genetically different species are known to mate, it is very rare that their offspring will be able to breed. The Edible Frog is a fertile hybrid of 2 other European frogs, namely the Pool Frog and the Marsh Frog, that inter-bred when populations where isolated close to one another during the Ice Age. It was first described in 1758 and is known as the Edible Frog due to the fact that it is now seen as a culinary delicacy across Europe but especially in France where frog’s legs are often served as a national dish. The reason for humans favouring this frog over others is not really known but it may have something to do with their abundance.
The Edible Frog is a medium sized frog growing to around 3.5 to 4.5 inches in length. Adults are mainly green in colour with light patches of brown on their backs, yellow eyes and a white underside covered in a few dark spots. There are number of distinct differences between males and females including the fact that males become much lighter and greener during the mating season. Males also have vocal sacs on the outside of their cheeks and extra skin patches on their feet, both of which are primarily used for mating.
The Edible Frog is endemic to Europe and it naturally occurs across central Europe as far north as Germany and Estonia. Southern populations are found from Croatia, through northern Italy and into the south of France. There are also isolated populations in Sweden and Bulgaria which are thought to have migrated from the countries nearby. It has also been introduced to the UK.
The Edible Frog spends all of its time either in or very close to water and it is most commonly found in calmer parts of rivers and streams where there is a slow but constant flow of fresh water. It tends to prefer more open areas and can also be commonly found around lakes, ponds and marshes.
Unlike many other species of frog, the Edible Frog is a diurnal animal and is therefore most active during the day. This is when it is most likely to move away from the water so that it can find a better supply of food or move to a different part of the water if it needs to.
The Edible Frog is a relatively solitary animal so there is less competition for food but males are often seen sitting together in groups during the breeding season when they are trying to out-compete each other to find a mate.
The breeding season for the Edible Frog begins during March and generally lasts for around 2 months. Males sing by drawing air in and out of their vocal sacs to produce the highest-pitched sound possible since females are most attracted to the loudest males. After courting her in a lake, pond or swamp, the male lets the female lay up to 10,000 eggs in a sticky mass into the water before he fertilises them. Tadpoles can be as small as 0.2 inches long when they hatch and are a grey/brown colour. They then grow up to 2 to 3 inches in length before metamorphoses occurs and they leave the water as 0.75 inches long young frogs. The Edible Frog reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 years and can live until it is 15 years old.
The Edible Frog is a carnivorous amphibian but the tadpoles mainly eat vegetation although they are known to occasionally supplement their diet with aquatic micro-organisms. Adults eat small invertebrates such as insects, spiders and flies, which make up the majority of their diet, along with larger aquatic animals like fish, newts and other frogs. The Edible Frog hunts for food during the day and can be seen catching food both in water and on land.
The Edible Frog remains very still when it is sitting on the banks of its water habitat and this, along with its camouflage, makes it very difficult for predators to spot. Its eyes are positioned near the top of the head meaning that it can also see danger coming whilst the body is mainly hidden. Snakes, owls and water birds are the main predators of the Edible Frog. The Edible Frog will jump into the water and hide if it senses approaching danger and it will make a loud screeching sound if caught.
Edible Frog populations are under threat from habitat destruction mainly caused by deforestation and water pollution.
Date: 2nd June 2021
Location: Noak Bridge Nature Reserve, Noak Bridge, Essex
The Edible Frog is one of the few animals in the world that is a fertile hybrid of 2 different species, as although similar but genetically different species are known to mate, it is very rare that their offspring will be able to breed. The Edible Frog is a fertile hybrid of 2 other European frogs, namely the Pool Frog and the Marsh Frog, that inter-bred when populations where isolated close to one another during the Ice Age. It was first described in 1758 and is known as the Edible Frog due to the fact that it is now seen as a culinary delicacy across Europe but especially in France where frog’s legs are often served as a national dish. The reason for humans favouring this frog over others is not really known but it may have something to do with their abundance.
The Edible Frog is a medium sized frog growing to around 3.5 to 4.5 inches in length. Adults are mainly green in colour with light patches of brown on their backs, yellow eyes and a white underside covered in a few dark spots. There are number of distinct differences between males and females including the fact that males become much lighter and greener during the mating season. Males also have vocal sacs on the outside of their cheeks and extra skin patches on their feet, both of which are primarily used for mating.
The Edible Frog is endemic to Europe and it naturally occurs across central Europe as far north as Germany and Estonia. Southern populations are found from Croatia, through northern Italy and into the south of France. There are also isolated populations in Sweden and Bulgaria which are thought to have migrated from the countries nearby. It has also been introduced to the UK.
The Edible Frog spends all of its time either in or very close to water and it is most commonly found in calmer parts of rivers and streams where there is a slow but constant flow of fresh water. It tends to prefer more open areas and can also be commonly found around lakes, ponds and marshes.
Unlike many other species of frog, the Edible Frog is a diurnal animal and is therefore most active during the day. This is when it is most likely to move away from the water so that it can find a better supply of food or move to a different part of the water if it needs to.
The Edible Frog is a relatively solitary animal so there is less competition for food but males are often seen sitting together in groups during the breeding season when they are trying to out-compete each other to find a mate.
The breeding season for the Edible Frog begins during March and generally lasts for around 2 months. Males sing by drawing air in and out of their vocal sacs to produce the highest-pitched sound possible since females are most attracted to the loudest males. After courting her in a lake, pond or swamp, the male lets the female lay up to 10,000 eggs in a sticky mass into the water before he fertilises them. Tadpoles can be as small as 0.2 inches long when they hatch and are a grey/brown colour. They then grow up to 2 to 3 inches in length before metamorphoses occurs and they leave the water as 0.75 inches long young frogs. The Edible Frog reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2 years and can live until it is 15 years old.
The Edible Frog is a carnivorous amphibian but the tadpoles mainly eat vegetation although they are known to occasionally supplement their diet with aquatic micro-organisms. Adults eat small invertebrates such as insects, spiders and flies, which make up the majority of their diet, along with larger aquatic animals like fish, newts and other frogs. The Edible Frog hunts for food during the day and can be seen catching food both in water and on land.
The Edible Frog remains very still when it is sitting on the banks of its water habitat and this, along with its camouflage, makes it very difficult for predators to spot. Its eyes are positioned near the top of the head meaning that it can also see danger coming whilst the body is mainly hidden. Snakes, owls and water birds are the main predators of the Edible Frog. The Edible Frog will jump into the water and hide if it senses approaching danger and it will make a loud screeching sound if caught.
Edible Frog populations are under threat from habitat destruction mainly caused by deforestation and water pollution.
Date: 2nd June 2021
Location: Noak Bridge Nature Reserve, Noak Bridge, Essex
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Also in: Frogs and toads
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