Green Frog

Green Frogs look something like small Bullfrogs, but their colour varies from yellow to green or bronze, sometimes with brown spots on the back. Some males, particularly individuals in shaded woodland ponds, are black on the back. A few metallic blue individuals have been found. Look for a ridge above the eye that extends part way down the back: this will distinguish Green Frogs from Bullfrogs - in Bullfrogs the ridge curves down right behind the eardrum.

Blue Green Frog

"Octafrog"

Green Frogs are common in lakes, ponds and streams. Practically any body of fresh water is potential habitat, whether it is small or large, temporary or permanent, with or without plant life.

Breeding is in June and July. Males spread out among the shallows. The larger dominant males challenge other males that attempt to enter the best vegetated spawning sites. The male's call has been compared to the sound of a loose banjo string. You will hear it day and night, but especially during the first hours of daylight. After spawning, the female extrudes from 1,500 to about 5,000 eggs in a film-like mass among the surface vegetation. The tadpoles overwinter under the silt and dead plants on the bottom and transform the following summer, about one year after hatching. The adults stay in the pond and hibernate in early autumn.

Green Frogs eat a great variety of small land and water creatures. Beetles, bugs, spiders, ants, moth larvae and snails are the big items.

Albino

Tadpole