Common Frog
Rana temporaria
Length 6-9cm

Common and widespread native to mainland Great Britain but introduced to Ireland where distribution rather patchy. Colour variable but usually greenish brown or olive-buff with darker blotches; shows dark 'mask'. Male has hard swelling on first finger, used to grasp female during mating; throat often bluish in breeding season. Spawning takes place in December or January in West Country but not until March or April in N or upland districts. Mating pairs and masses of frogspawn are a common sight in most ponds. Males utter faint croaking song.