The Common Parsley Frog (Pelodytes punctatus) is a wetlands amphibian.
The Caucasian Parsley Frog is green, olive or brown. On its back are irregular green patches that look like parsley leaves. There are also warts on its back. Its underbelly is creamy-white. It has a slender body with long hind (back) legs, and no tail. It has protruding eyes with vertical pupils. It has webbed feet.
It grows to 3-5 centimetres (1-2 inches) long.
The Common Parsley Frog is native to Europe, from Spain and Portugal to northern France, and in Italy. It prefers wetlands and weedy ponds and streams.
It is nocturnal, more active during the evening. During the day it hides under stones, in the mud, or among aquatic reeds. It eats insects at night. Its predators include birds, especially owls.
It hibernates (sleeps) in winter.
The female lays 40-300 eggs near reeds in a still body of water. The eggs metamorphose into frogs after about three months.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM