These are three Amphibians that live in my town - the frog and newt are commonly found in my garden but the toad has yet to show its face there.
Common Frog (Rana temporaria)
Possibly our most familiar amphibian, the Common Frog is distributed throughout Britain and Ireland and can be found in almost any habitat where suitable breeding ponds can be found. Garden ponds are now extremely important for Common Frogs and many populations in suburban areas depend on them. Adults can grow to almost 8cm and are generally some shade of brown or olive brown in colour with a dark patch behind the eye and bands of darker colour on the back legs.
The Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
The Common Toad is a widespread amphibian found throughout Britain although absent from Ireland. It can grow to 8cm, and is generally brown or olive brown and young specimens are often brick coloured. The skin is warty and often appears dry. Glands in the skin contain powerful toxins and would-be predators quickly learn not to attempt to eat toads.
The Smooth Newt - Lissotriton vulgaris (formerly Triturus vulgaris)
Our most widespread newt, the Smooth Newt, is found throughout Britain and is the only newt species to be found in Ireland. It can grow to 10cm and is most often found in ponds during the breeding season between February and June. The Smooth Newt is brown, the female being relatively plain whilst the male is spotty and develops a continuous wavy crest along its back in the breeding season. The belly of both sexes is yellow to orange with black spots and the spots on the throat provide a good way of telling this species apart from Palmate Newts (which have no spots on their throat).
To see what other folk have found to illustrate the letter A in their towns please click on this link.
Love these photos. We used to see more frogs but I think the little stream that is near us is too polluted now. Still, we see a wide variety of frogs, toads, snakes, lizards and skinks! We have our own nature haven on our little property!
ReplyDeleteSuperb set of photos CJ. I've always loved newts ever since the days of Jackson's Pond. Remember?
ReplyDeleteI like all three of them - and had no idea that there are no toads in Ireland. That is odd, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMy parents have a tiny pond in their garden, and every year, there is one couple of newts there plus several toads, but no frogs. Maybe the pond is not big enough for all of them. All year round, there are goldfish and some smaller black fish in that pond, plus it is always surrounded by dragonflies.
A beautifully shot post. Most welcome as I've failed to find many amphibians around this summer.
ReplyDeletesorry to change the topic, you mentioned Ireland, may I ask why there are no snakes there. I don't mean the St Patrick story.
ReplyDeleteMy student asked me why there was no snakes in New Zealand which I could easily answer. Then she asked," Are there any where else?"
A most informative post with super photos. The frog shots were Amazing especially the ones in the water...your zoomer worked great. Now I'm curious as to what amphibians we have in Texas. Thanks for a great shootout post!
ReplyDeleteI don;t think I have ever seen a newt, but toads live in my garden. Your frog photos are outstanding!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great collection of amphibians. The pond in my parents' garden was home to a great many frogs and newts and I loved watching them as a child. The baby frogs used to fall into our hotbed and we had to help them out.
ReplyDeleteSadly, the people who bought the garden put some fish in there, greatly diminishing the variety of life in the pond and now it's gone alltogether.
Ann, the land bridge between Britain andf Ireland was inundated before snakes crossed over after the Ice Age. The land bridge from the continent to Britain was flooded later.
ReplyDeleteAmphibians! What fabulous pictures of these creatures. I love this & wish I could get such good shots.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, and what interesting information, especially about the land bridge between England and Ireland being inundated which accounts for no snakes in Ireland. But just for fun, I like the St. Patrick's story best ! :0)
ReplyDeleteFor me, "A" would have to stand for Arlene, my beautiful, kind, and generous daughter. And since her school is closed today in honour of Armistice Day, she is coming to lunch. What could be better?
They look cute! As long as it is not snake I won't freak out, ^_^
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Great amphibian shots. I particularly like the frogs. Quite different from ours here. I should have four little green frogs in my poor excuse for a pond but only ever see one. I tell myself it's a different one each time!
ReplyDeleteGreat shoot-out!
You found such gorgeous photos of the amphibians!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I ever saw a newt before. When I hear the word I always think of Gussie Fink-Nottle from P.G. Wodehouse's books (friend of Bertie Wooster). He's a big fan of newts. (I just enjoyed discovering the fact that Gussie has his own Wikipedia-page.)
ReplyDeleteHarry Potter-devotee that I am, I also know that Professor McGonagall keeps Ginger Newts (not nuts!) in a tartan tin on the desk in her office. (I always wanted a reason to mention that. Thankyou.)
I love it when I learn something new from the Shoot Out. I didn't know that there are newts in England. Cool!
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