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Pool Frog

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description Pool Frog Overview

The pool frog, scientifically classified as Pelophylax lessonae, is a species of amphibian native to parts of Europe and recognized as the rarest native amphibian in the United Kingdom. It primarily inhabits natural, sun-exposed freshwater ponds and pools heavily covered in aquatic vegetation. While native UK populations were declared extinct, conservationists initiated a successful reintroduction program in 2005 using Swedish stock to establish a reserve in Norfolk, England. The species is closely monitored by ecological researchers and wildlife conservation groups.

help Pool Frog FAQ

How can you tell a pool frog from a common frog?

Pool frogs are green water frogs, often with dark spotting and a pale stripe along the back, whereas common frogs are typically browner and have a prominent dark mask behind the eye. Identification can be difficult because pool frogs resemble marsh frogs and edible frogs.

Why did pool frogs disappear from Britain?

Britain's native population declined through habitat loss and changes to its warm, fish-free pond environments, with the last known native colony disappearing in the 1990s. A reintroduction program later used frogs from Sweden because genetic research linked them closely to the former English population.

Where do pool frogs live?

Pelophylax lessonae lives in sunny ponds, pools, and wetlands with abundant aquatic vegetation across parts of Europe. In Britain, conservation populations are associated particularly with carefully managed sites in East Anglia.

What does a male pool frog sound like?

Males produce a repeated chuckling or purring call during the breeding season. They amplify it with paired vocal sacs at the sides of the mouth, a useful distinction from Britain's common frog.

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