The Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae
This is the most recent extinction, and particularly unfortunate as it could have been saved. However, these large, green, water loving frogs were believed to have been an introduction in the 19th century, and so no special measures were taken to protect them in their last site in the Norfolk Broads until it was too late.In the last few years a reintroduction project has been undertaken using frogs from Sweden, which are the most closely related to the extinct British form. It is not endangered on the continent, and with the closely related Marsh Frog P.ridibunda (which was introduced in the early 20th Century to Romney Marsh where it still survives) it hybridises to produce the fertile hybrid known as the Edible Frog, which was the main supplier of the famous French delicacy
Green Tree Frog Hyla arborea
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcH-wLIsFvxfJI593yoAQ1HmcBq3TIZNDN0vjyRRLrf57i-KHytjMfc570BZ1UE7LaWnD2-czjhS4Dm1OXMAD4ojp02AprzlcgSQgvx81vdnYchdw_8NaeI4AuPXE4CZvDaGTpolyh9Mc/s400/415px-Hyla_arborea_on_Typha.jpg)
Agile Frog Rana dalmatina
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaO3Tv0zR3oD4aRZCcTDv8kphIsjZh5hXmPCyZjnPDohN7qSqbWeHaN0iooJxcxQk1Cx8nBO-vEAJLVD1zW_KVeS5uGyCbPVXqFBycpn8Euy5-R0qKIszJL7wzsen5qSYBpHnKbUFjnM/s400/Agile+Frog.jpg)
Moor Frog Rana arvalis
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioU3wesOMQ3fo-yfwBHn3gGUEwc-HSSbHeSLDIKGdDEuAkSbywqORRtnHjSOYLNAIBAmI_mz0ExQ0dBQxo8tCHP7M_jbBVL91oiYyP5o9IzkdIt0y2Nix0-S-0aNQQ6xBB5ciqbuk9yQ/s400/Moor+frog.jpg)
Others
These are the species known or reasonably believed to have been resident in the UK. However, it is becoming clear that the relatively small numbers of species of reptile and amphibian in the UK compared to mainland Europe are not simply a result of the formation of the Channel preventing them colonising, but also extinctions resulting from climate change, in particular a cooling of the climate in the last few thousand years culminating in the Little Ice Age. Amphibians have delicate bones, and small animals with restricted ranges or habitats may disappear without a trace. For example, Midwife Toads are in Germany mainly associated with Beaver dams, and the Yellow Bellied Toad prefers warm, shallow ponds or ditches. Small colonies of these species have bred on several occasions in the UK, and the Midwife Toad has survived in a colony in Bedfordshire for at least a hundred years. Possibly these were once also native in the UK?
These are the species known or reasonably believed to have been resident in the UK. However, it is becoming clear that the relatively small numbers of species of reptile and amphibian in the UK compared to mainland Europe are not simply a result of the formation of the Channel preventing them colonising, but also extinctions resulting from climate change, in particular a cooling of the climate in the last few thousand years culminating in the Little Ice Age. Amphibians have delicate bones, and small animals with restricted ranges or habitats may disappear without a trace. For example, Midwife Toads are in Germany mainly associated with Beaver dams, and the Yellow Bellied Toad prefers warm, shallow ponds or ditches. Small colonies of these species have bred on several occasions in the UK, and the Midwife Toad has survived in a colony in Bedfordshire for at least a hundred years. Possibly these were once also native in the UK?
We have two species of frogs and one species of toad in Alaska: the spotted frog (Rana pretiosa), the wood frog (Rana sylvatica), and the western toad (Bufo boreas).
ReplyDeleteThe wood frog has the ability to survive our winters by freezing completely solid, and then thawing out come spring to live a happy amphibious life all summer long.
Truly amazing! I love frogs…
We should bring the back. Great article.
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