Toad or frog?

j.kathrens · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 04:51 PM

Hi.
I had toad spawn in my pond a few weeks back and now have literally hundreds of little poles swimming around. However the other day i managed to snap this little fella and was wondering if it is actually a toad. If someone could confirm its identity i'd be very greatful.
Thanks everyone.

bugbotherer · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 04:55 PM

It looks like a Marsh frog (Rana ridibunda). They have slightly wartier skin than the common frog. I reckon this group (</TITLE> </HEAD> <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//SoftQuad Software//DTD HoTMetaL PRO 6.0::19990601::extensions to HTML 4.0//EN" "hmpro6.dtd"> <HTML> <HEAD><STYLE TYPE="text/css"> <!-- a.nav { color : #444444; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-se) would be interested in this record

The Woodman · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 05:01 PM

I'd go with Marsh Frog as well. Nice pic.

demicav · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 05:54 PM

Nice picture, I love frogs.

Jon · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 06:01 PM

I would go along with Frog too, as mentioned earlier they tend to have smoother skin than toads...... quite frequently they have a happy smiley face:

Jon

Ukwildlifeo · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j.kathrens

Hi.
I had toad spawn in my pond a few weeks back and now have literally hundreds of little poles swimming around. However the other day i managed to snap this little fella and was wondering if it is actually a toad. If someone could confirm its identity i'd be very greatful.
Thanks everyone.

Where abouts is this taken? Just wondered if it was outside the normal kent and sussex areas where u find them

j.kathrens · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 10:35 AM

Hi.
Thanks for your input.
Wildlifeo I took this pic in my small garden pond in Leytonstone East London.
I've no idea if thats unusual or not but i must say i'm curious as to how it got there seeing as i live in a pretty built up area.

Ukwildlifeo · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 11:06 AM

Ive heard there is some in the London Wetlands centre. And they seem to be quite common in North Kent. Have you heard it 'croak'? Its surprisingly loud!

Im not sure if you are aware of this but they are an introduced European species (the ones from Kent are from Hungary), but unlike most introduced reptiles and amphibians they appear to be out competing the native frogs. And Leytonstone is rather near to me here in Romford!

I dont know how big your frog was but I've seen some rather large ones (they get to upto 15cm as opposed to the 10 of the common frog)

Adam Cheeseman · #9 (**permalink**) 16-05-2007, 06:00 PM

[quote=Ukwildlifeo;118279]Ive heard there is some in the London Wetlands centre. And they seem to be quite common in North Kent. Have you heard it 'croak'? Its surprisingly loud!

To say there are some at the London Wetland Centre would be putting it mildly. There are also large numbers at Kempton Reservoir LNR and Bedfont Lakes Country Park LNR and most other suitable water bodies in the London Borough of Hounslow. My boss has just completed an MSc on them, I'll see what he has to say about their distribution.

Cheers,

Adam

andymjukes · #10 (**permalink**) 18-05-2007, 03:50 PM

we have marsh frogs in staffordshire. Marsh frogs most freuqnelty come in from the continent in shipments of fish stocks and spread via the fishing lakes.
There are apparently 3 differnt races of marsh frog that are identifiable from their different calls!
>>Dont forget to send records of marsh frogs to Froglife so they can map the rate of colonisation in the country. It will also help them build up a case to tighten legislation on the importantion of fish stocks from the continent.