Topic: Identifying frogs

[Bjerreby]

I have frogs in my garden, but I am not sure excatly how to identify the species. I think they are either common frogs (Rana temporaria) or moor frogs (Rana arvalis). Very lively too. They like it round my compost heap.

They are greeny brown, about 2 inches long, and have a very prominent black mask that makes them look like a burglar.  ;D

Some of he photos of common frogs show a mask, others not, hence the confusion.

Anyone know how to tell the difference?

[Robert_Brenchley]

I see what you mean, they are pretty similar. We don't get moor frogs in Britain, and I don't have anything covering European amphibians. There are links to pages on both here http://www.herpfrance.com/amphibian/ , so hopefully that might help.

[Mr Smith]

I can't help with identifying your Frog but a few years ago I was sat outside a bar in Boulogne and a French seagull identified me, the bar owner brought out a couple of beers and right on cue this seagull crapped on me from a great height, the  bar owner practically pi--ed himself and said something in French which I did not understand but my wife did and it translated in to 'Everyone shits on the English' even I thought it was funny, :)

[landimad]

Dont know the frog in question but this may help identify it.
http://www.tiggysribticklers.com/images/2frogs3.jpg

[tonybloke]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Bjerreby]

I see what you mean, they are pretty similar. We don't get moor frogs in Britain, and I don't have anything covering European amphibians. There are links to pages on both here http://www.herpfrance.com/amphibian/ , so hopefully that might help.

Thanks for that link Robert. Comparing the photos I am tempted to say I have moor frogs because of the pointed face, although it is a problem getting them to sit still while I have a look!

Very appealing creatures. I just wonder where they breed. The only water close by me is my water holes...........and they didn't breed there.

[Bjerreby]

Well it seems they like my water holes as much as the birds! I finally managed to get a photo, but this one has less of a burglar's mask than the others I have seen.



From the pointed face, I believe this is a moor frog. Common frogs have more rounded features I think.

[Robert_Brenchley]

It doesn't look like a typical common frog, but that's all I can say.