Edible Frog

Edible Frog

Edible Frog - Rana esculenta complex

Very common frog in aquatic environments; the dorsal parts with a green background with black spots (sometimes absent); often has a pale median stripe. Flanks with two golden-coloured folds. Underparts whitish.

The males are smaller than the females, which reach a maximum length of 12 cm.

It is unmistakably the most aquatic of Italian frogs and has several characteristic adaptations associated with this behaviour, like the raised position of its eyes, which allow it to see above the water when its body is underwater, webbed feet to increase swimming efficiency and its mimetic colouring which helps to hide it among the water plants. It can be found in all sorts of stretches of water, even polluted ones.

It spends much of its time on banks, from where it quickly dives into the water whenever it is disturbed. It is more crepuscular during the summer months. It may hibernate in winter if the temperatures are low. Breeding begins in springs and continues all summer through.

The males are the first to arrive at the breeding areas and attract the females with their incessant calls. Each females lays, at three separate times, an average of 3,000-4,000 eggs in spherical masses which she anchors to the vegetation on the bottom of the pond.

The tadpoles complete metamorphosis in 2 months. The Edible Frog feeds mainly on Arthropods, which it catches on the ground and on the water surface, but never under water.

The Regional Law of Tuscany no. 56/2000 limits the number of individuals that can be caught.