Common Frog

Rana Temporaria

The Common Frog is probably our most common herptile (Reptile and Amphibian) that can be found in Cambridgeshire. Common frogs are often found associated with water. They are extremely variable, and, to a beginner, both sexes look extremely similar. However, females are often quite spotted in appearance. 

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Frogs are often confused with toads, however toads have more warty skin and are less common.

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Common frogs have an extremely interesting life cycle. After hibernating in a safe, dry place such as a log pile, frogs congregate en masse in ponds and small rivers, and they spawn. This is one of the most spectacular natural events possible to see in Cambridge. They lay huge clumps of jelly-like spawn, each with a small egg inside. When these hatch, tiny tadpoles swim away. In the next 3 months, the tadpoles get larger and eventually grow legs. As their tails shrink, tadpoles leave the water and live on land - a miniature replica of their parents.

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Look for Common Frogs in ponds and streams from February until October.