Pool frog

Description

The snout-vent length of the males is 4.5 to 5.5 cm - so they are only slightly larger than a European tree frog - the females are 5.5 to 6.5 cm long. The upperparts are predominantly grass-green in colour and speckled with rather regular black or brown spots. In addition, there is the typical water frog mid-dorsal line and reddish glandular ridges on the dorsal sides. Individuals with black-brownish colour pattern parts are also quite common, especially in female specimens. The iris is intensely yellow in males at mating time, as yellow body colours dominate at this time elsewhere; their vocal sacs are white. The lower legs are remarkably short in relation to the trunk; the metatarsal tubercle is large and semicircular.

Habitat

The pool frog is not as strictly bound to water bodies as its relatives, the common water frog and theEuropean green frog. Typical habitats in northern Germany are e.g. bog biotopes within wooded areas. Adults and juveniles often move far away from the water bodies. Preference is given to smaller, vegetated ponds, pools and ditches as well as marshes and bogs in their vicinity. The species is rarely found in large lakes and rivers. A closer connection seems to exist regionally - especially in the north of the distribution area - to boggy, mesotrophic habitats. Due to these requirements, the species is absent from certain habitats that are strongly influenced by anthropogenic activities.

The text is a translation of an excerpt from Wikipedia (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleiner_Wasserfrosch). On wikipedia the text is available under a „Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike“ licence. Status: 29 June 2021