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The native status of the pool frog was debated for many years as
similar 'exotic' species had been introduced from Europe.
Research was carried out in the 1990s which showed pool frogs
have regional 'accents' to their calls and further genetic
studies revealed their true ancestry. It was determined that
English pool frogs belonged to a distinct, and very rare,
northern group of pool frogs, also found in Sweden and Norway.
Pool frogs were presumed extinct in the wild in 1995, but have
since been reintroduced at a single site in East Anglia. They
belong to a complex of species known as ‘green frogs’ which also
includes marsh frogs and edible frogs.
adults can grow to 9cm but males are significantly smaller.
those reintroduced to the UK are predominantly brown.
dark brown or black blotches and a light, often yellow, stripe
down the back.
reintroduced, and successfully breeding, at one site in East
Anglia; the pool frog has full legal protection under UK law
making it an offence to kill, injure, capture, disturb or sell
them or to damage or destroy their habitats.
Pool frogs lay clumps of spawn (eggs) are laid in the pond
during late spring/early summer; breeding coincides with the
onset of warm nights in May/June. These clumps are typically
smaller than those laid by the common frog; individual eggs are
brown above and yellowish below. The tadpoles develop over the
summer and leave the water in August/September.
Pool frogs normally hibernate on land between October and April.
Adult frogs emerge from their overwintering sites in late spring
and head to a pond to breed. Males have a loud call generated by
a pair of vocal sacs either side of the head. Pool frogs are
very aquatic and spend much of the year in or near the water;
they also tend to bask in sunshine even on very hot days.
Loss of habitat (drainage of fenland).
The reintroduction of the pool frog.
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