Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 84, December 2008, pp. 1-18. | Page 5

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A male European Tree Frog, looking for food on dead leaves near the stream of Al-Qarn/
Kziv River in the Western Al-Jaleel/Galilee, Palestine. Foto: Rei Segali, 2005.
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/photo42891.htm
Family Ranidae:
5. Marsh or Lake Frog (Rana ridibunda ridibunda, Pallas 1761):
The Marsh Frog (Rana ridibunda) is the largest frog native to Europe, and belongs to the
family of true frogs. It is very similar in appearance to the closely related Edible Frog and
Pool Frog. These three species are often referred to as 'green frogs' to distinguish them
from the other, more terrestrial, European Rana species, which are known as 'brown
frogs'.
The Marsh Frog is a water-dwelling, generally green-colored frog species. It can reach a
maximum length of 17 centimeters, but males remain smaller (around 12 cm). The head
is proportionally large and the hind legs are long, which gives them excellent jumping
abilities.
There is a large variation in colour and pattern, ranging from dark green to brown or grey,
sometimes with some lighter green lines; a lighter line on the back is generally present.
The Western European populations are generally dark green to black with dark spot on
the back and sides and three clearly green lines on the back.
The diet of the Marsh Frog consists of dragonflies and other insects, spiders, earthworms
and slugs. Larger frogs also eat mice, and sometimes salamanders and fish.
This green frog occurs in the largest part of Europe, in Asian Russia to Afghanistan and
Pakistan and in th R6