This frog became extinct in Britain in the late 1990s and has recently been reintroduced from Sweden. Pool frogs are variable in colour from green to brown but in the U.K. are predominately brown. There are two clades of the Pool Frog - the Southern European Clade which has been introduced to parts of Southern England - Essex, Kent etc The Southern Clade Pool frog is mainly green in colour and has a dorsal stripe. White vocal sacs and is slightly larger than the Northern Clade Pool Frog.
The Northern European Clade is the same as the native pool frog which has recently been re-introduced to Norfolk. A beautiful frog with mainly brown and yellow colouration with a dorsal line. Frogs are so distinctive that individual animals can be identified by their markings.
Northern Clade Pool Frog has recently reintroduced into East Anglia (Norfolk) from stock in Sweden. Other Pool frog species have been introduced to other parts of Southern England - including the Isle Of Sheppey, Epping Forest, Basildon and West London - all these southern clade pool frogs are not native to the UK - it is therefore illegal to introduce these frogs into the UK.
Prefer open, sunny ponds adjacent to woodland or in meadows.
Similar to other frog species - soft bodied invertebrates
Hibernates throughout the Winter in terrestrial habitats away from ponds. Unlike the larger Marsh or Lake Frog which hibernates in the mud at the bottom of ponds, lakes and ditches the pool frog hibernates in habitats such as woodland. It is important that woodland and other suitable habitats are associated with breeding ponds
Pool frogs are territorial and communicate by means of a variety of calls made by the white vocal sacs on each side of it's mouth. The mating call is a series of soft burbling/purring calls, which last up to two seconds, the pitch rising throughout the call. The female lays between 600 - 3000 eggs in several batches over the season.
Northern Clade Pool Frog - Native species Fully Protected - reintroduced to the UK at one secret site
Southern Clade Pool Frog - Non Native and has been introduced to various parts of the UK - including Kent, Essex, London and elsewhere
This species of frog can often be found sunbathing at the side of pools, even in the hottest weather.
