Greek stream frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greek stream frog |
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The Greek stream frog, also known as the Greek frog (Rana graeca), is a type of frog. You can find these frogs in several countries. They live in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Turkey.
These frogs like to live in specific places. Their natural habitats include temperate forests and grassland. They also live near rivers, especially those that sometimes dry up. You might find them near freshwater springs and in fields where animals graze. The IUCN says this frog is not currently in danger. This means there are enough of them in the wild.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Greek stream frogs reproduce once a year. This special time starts in February, right after they wake up from their winter sleep. It usually ends in April.
How Frogs Find Mates
During this period, male frogs call out to attract females. They can call from under the water or from the surface. Most of their calls happen at night. However, if the water is warm enough, they might call during the day too.
These frogs are very careful about where they mate. They prefer safe, hidden spots. Dark cracks in riverbanks, under tree roots, or beneath stones are their favorite places.
Eggs and Tadpoles
After mating, the female frog lays her eggs. She attaches the egg masses to the roof of a hidden space. Each egg mass can hold a lot of eggs, from 200 to 2,000! Each tiny egg is about 2 to 3.5 millimeters wide. They are surrounded by a jelly-like layer that protects them. This protective layer is about 4 to 7 millimeters wide. Scientists have seen male frogs guarding the eggs for some time.
When the eggs hatch, tiny larvae emerge. These are often called tadpoles. They are about 9 millimeters long when they first hatch. The tadpoles grow quite a bit, reaching up to 45 millimeters in length. This growth usually takes about two to three months. However, if the water is cold, they might grow more slowly. After their third winter sleep, these young frogs become old enough to reproduce themselves.
