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?
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.
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, :)
Dont know the frog in question but this may help identify it.
http://www.tiggysribticklers.com/images/2frogs3.jpg
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: Robert_Brenchley on June 29, 2009, 18:31:21
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.
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.
(http://i31.tinypic.com/1zx2nwo.jpg)
From the pointed face, I believe this is a moor frog. Common frogs have more rounded features I think.
It doesn't look like a typical common frog, but that's all I can say.