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Alyte accoucheur- Alytes obstetricans-Midwife toad
Discoglosse peint-Discoglossus pictus-Painted toad
Pélobate brun-Pelobates fuscus-Spadefoot toad
Pélobate cultripède-Pelobates cultripes-Western spadefoot toad
Pélodyte ponctué-Pelodytes punctatus-Parsley frog
Grenouille agile-Rana dalmatina-Agile frog
Crapaud des Joncs-Bufo calamita-Natterjack toad
Rainette Arboricole-Hyla arborea-Common tree frog
Rainette Méridionale-Hyla meridionalis-Stripeless tree frog
Sonneur à ventre jaune-Bombina Variegata-Yellow bellied toad
Crapaud commun-Bufo bufo-Common toad
Wildlife Conservation in France
Grenouille Rousse ~~ Rana temporania ~~ Common Frog
The Common frog is variable in colour, typically yellowish brown, brown or olive green, occasionally with a reddish appearance with a maximum length of 9cm, spotted back with bold barring on the rear legs. Underneath the males are cream or pale yellow speckled with brown or grey, females more strongly coloured from pale yellow to orange. Back feet are partly webbed and there is a bold dark patch clearly visible behind the eyes which have a horizontal oval pupil. The male has two internal vocal sacs.
Common frog, France
The common frog has a vast range in Europe and North western Asia being found as far north as the Artic circle. It is present in most of France except in the South west where it is either absent or scarce. It is found in all types of habitats outside of the breeding season often far from water, although juveniles may spend summer in or around water. Diet consists of small insects, grubs, earthworms, slugs etc. Generally nocturnal, especially when hot and dry, although can be active day and night in mild or wet weather. Hibernation begins in October and can finish in January; this is extremely variable depending on the region and climate conditions.
Above: Common Frog, Individuals lacking pigmentation are not uncommon.
Reproduction starts immediately after hibernation ends and is very early, often bringing together large numbers of frogs (this can lead to vast numbers being taken for the table, particularily in the east of France and Belgium ). Spawn is laid in large clumps of 300 to 1000 eggs in shallow water, ponds, lakes, ditches and puddles.
As a result of this very early breeding many eggs are lost to freezing weather following a mild spell.
Although still common the species is in overall decline. Berne convention Annexe 3, Habitats directive Annexe 5, Protection Nationale Art. 3&4.