Froglife Volunteer and Wildlife Artist, Samantha Marais, has chosen to share her beautiful drawings of the UK’s Frog and Toad species with us.
Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
The Common Frog is easily our most recognisable amphibian. They’re found throughout Britain and Ireland, in almost any habitat where suitable breeding ponds are near by. Common Frogs have smooth skin and long legs for jumping away quickly. Garden ponds are extremely important for common frogs, particularly in urban areas.
Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
The Common Toad is a widespread amphibian found throughout Britain though is absent from Ireland. Common Toads prefer deeper water bodies in which to breed, including fish ponds, farm ponds, reservoirs or village ponds. They have rough, ‘warty’ skin and tend to crawl rather than hop. Common Toads produce a toxin from a pair of glands on their back which makes them distasteful to would-be predators.
Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita)
In Britain, the Natterjack Toad is confined to coastal sand dune systems, coastal grazing marshes and sandy heaths; they’re often associated with shallow, warm ponds in sand dune slacks as they require warmer water in which to breed successfully. Natterjack Toads have shorter legs than Common Toads and are quite quick on land – being known to run rather than walk or hop – but they are poor swimmers.
To find out more about the UK’s native amphibian and reptile species click HERE
OR
If you think you’ve spotted any of these species download the DRAGON FINDER APP and record your sightings.