The Caucasian Parsley Frog (Pelodytes caucasicus) is a freshwater amphibian in the Pelodytidae family of frogs.
The Caucasian Parsley Frog begins its life as an egg. The adult female frog is oviparous, laying eggs. The female lays 40-300 eggs near reeds in a still body of water. The eggs hatch after about 14 days.
The eggs hatch into tadpoles.
The tadpole has gills to breathe under water. It does not have legs but it has a tail.
Gradually, the tadpole undergoes a metamorphosis for about 3 months (12 weeks) when it grows into an adult frog. It grows legs and lungs, and loses its tail. It developes lungs to breathe air.
The adult 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 fee with one digit (toe) longer than the others.
It grows to 3-5 centimetres (1-2 inches) long.
The Caucasian Parsley Frog is native to the Causasus countries of Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and southern Russia. It lives in freshwater streams and rivers.
It is nocturnal, active during the evening. During the day, it hides in aquatic reeds. It eats insects at night. Its predators include birds, especially owls.
It hibernates (sleeps) in winter.
Location of photographs: National Botanical Garden of Georgia, Tbilisi
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM