David Element's Wildlife Web Page Amphibians 6

David Element

Wildlife Photography and Digital Video Images

___________________________________ Amphibians 6 - Common Frogs

COMMON FROG Rana temporaria (tadpoles)

COMMON FROG Rana temporaria (tadpole)

COMMON FROG Rana temporaria

The second and third photographs illustrate just one of the many potential dangers for Common Frog Rana temporaria tadpoles, namely being captured by a carnivorous Backswimmer Notonecta sp. (presumably a Common Backswimmer Notonecta glauca although there are several other similar species). Many tadpoles will never get to leave their aquatic environment, either because it may dry out before they have completed their metabolism or because one of many other organisms (and it is a long list) will have eaten them and cannibalism cannot be discounted either! These old low-resolution images have been retained as they illustrate just one aspect of this predation. The sad fact is that to maintain a population equilibrium every pair of adult frogs simply needs to produce just two surviving offspring throughout their lives to replace themselves. Anyone who has seen a Grey Heron Ardea cinerea feeding on amphibians will know just how quickly their numbers can become depleted!