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The Edible Frog
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Species:
Rana klepton esculenta - Common European Frog - Middelste Groene Kikker - Also called Edible Frog since in France it is the species used for frog legs (poor froggies!)
Scientific Classification:
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Ranidae
Genus: Rana
Habitat:
I was not able to find much on that (except for their habitat in Holland), but I assume they at least exist in France ;). In any case, this particular genus of frogs is spread widely over all parts of Holland, and is relatively low-maintenance. They feel at home in pools, ponds, rivers, lakes.
Specifics:
For a long time, biologists thought there was only one species of green frogs present in Holland. True to say, they all look alike save for some minor variations. In 1972 however, it was discovered that there are actually three distinct types of green frogs: the Pool Frog (Rana lessonae), the Marsh frog (Rana ridibunda), and this one, the Edible Frog or Common European Frog. The first two species are truly distinct species, while the Rana klepton esculenta actually is a hybrid, a cross-over between the Marsh and the Pool frog. During the ice ages the population of the common ancestor of both species was separated. Both developed into one species, but stayed genetically close enough to be able to create fertile hybrids. However when edible frogs mate with each other, their offsprings are often misformed, so a pure population of edible frogs cannot survive. In nature the female edible frogs usually mate with males of one of the other two species to keep the hybrid population alive, leaving the male edible frogs without descendants.
The Common European Frog looks very much alike it's cousin the Marsh frog, with the difference that the first isn't quite so big. The females can grow up to 11 cm, while the Marsh frog can grow up to 14 cm. Another difference is that the Common European Frog has a golden/yellow/black iris, while the Marsh frog's iris is black.
Photograph:
This little fellow (I don't know whether it is a male or female ... I think it is a youngster in any case due to the fact that the tip of the snout is quite pointed while older specimen's have a more rounded and broad snout) sat in a friend's garden. It was early in spring I think, the first sunrays had come out and he was enjoying it quite muchly, so much so that he didn't mind the camera aimed at him.
I shot this with my Canon Powershot G5. No additional lenses were used. Post Processing in Photoshop: curves/sharpening/crop/border. |
cigdom, jagathcham, Luc, chiliu has marked this note useful
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GREAT shot!!!colours and composition is great ,too.i like tones of green in this ppic.and this frog looks very beautiful. thx for sharing
regards...
cigdem
It's a nice close-up of this vivid coloured fellow. Good POV and details.
You have added a very useful note here.
Wow! Superb colors, excellent light and fantastic details. Great work!
TFS.
- chiliu
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1494 W: 0 N: 1175]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(6494) - [2005-06-30 6:32]
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Great shot!
Very nice colour,clear details,perfect composition.
TFS!
Very nice close-up, Wndy.
Nice colours, good details and well composed.
Very well done.
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- Ina
(767)
- [2005-06-30 15:34]
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Fine details and a very nice pose... Colors, light and composition looks great too...TFS...Ina...
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- foozi
(8765)
- [2008-09-16 23:02]
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Hello Wendy,
a very sharp and clear shot of the frog. well composed in its diagonal position. The physical features and beauty is clearly seen.
Excellent composition and very enlightening notes.
Regards,
Foozi
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 29 W: 7 N: 65]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif){kind=small}
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(13829)