Best time to see: all year
Key facts
The largest european frog, sometimes reaching 17cm in length, non-native but introduced into Kent in 1935
Now spreading across the south-east, with strongholds at Romney Marsh and, in Essex, Rainham Marshes
They are noisy frogs, calling with a loud chuckling croak in late spring and on and off through the summer
Recognition
Mainly green in colour with a large head, pale belly and long hind legs, which give them a powerful jump
Rarely far from water, they often sunbathe beside ponds, leaping into the water with a loud plop when disturbed
Feed on insects and spiders, and larger specimens even on small rodents, fish and other amphibians
Lifecycle
The males call to attract females by inflating sacs on the sides of their head, climbing on to the female to mate
Eggs 6–8mm in diameter are laid in a single cluster of thousands of eggs
Greyish tadpoles with light bellies reach up to 7cm long; juveniles measure up to 2.5cm on leaving the water
© Tony Gunton