AMPHIBIANS
This is a really underapreciated branch of wildlife. Amphibians should really be viewed with awe. As Wiki defines them :
Amphibians are four-limbed and ectothermic vertebrates of the class Amphibia. All living amphibians belong to the group Lissamphibia. They inhabit a wide variety of habitats, with most species living within terrestrial, fossorial, arboreal or freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Thus amphibians typically start out as larvae living in water, but some species have developed behavioural adaptations to bypass this.
The young generally undergo metamorphosis from larva with gills to an adult air-breathing form with lungs. Amphibians use their skin as a secondary respiratory surface and some small terrestrial salamanders and frogs lack lungs and rely entirely on their skin.
That is absolutely amazing!
Scotland has a variety of frogs, toads and newts, namely : common frog; common toad; natterjack toad; great crested newt; palmate newt; smooth newt.
So what is the difference between a frog and a toad? True frogs have moist and smooth skin. The true toad’s skin is dry and rough, with warts covering its body. Toads do not have any teeth, while the frog has teeth in the upper jaw. The toad also has shorter hind legs in comparison to the frog. Also, a frog’s eyes stick out farther than the toad’s.
NATURE SCOT website : https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-species/protected-species-z-guide/protected-species-amphibians-and-reptiles
SCIENCING website : https://sciencing.com/similarities-differences-between-frogs-toads-8159581.html
COMMON FROGS : RANA TEMPORARIA
The Common Frog is easily our most recognisable amphibian. They’re found throughout Britain and Ireland, in almost any habitat where suitable breeding ponds are near by. Common Frogs have smooth skin and long legs for jumping away quickly. Garden ponds are extremely important for common frogs, particularly in urban areas.
Adults males grow up to 9 cm in length and females up to 13 cm in length. Usually a shade of olive-green or brown (although can be yellow, pink, red, lime-green, cream or black). Dark patches on the back, stripes on the hind legs, and a dark ‘mask’ behind the eye. Oval, horizontal pupil. Call: soft repetitive croak
FROGLIFE website : https://www.froglife.org/info-advice/amphibians-and-reptiles/common-frog-2/
SCOTTISH WILDLIFE TRUST : https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/species/common-frog/
COMMON TOAD : BUFO BUFO
The Common toad is widespread in the UK, although it appears to be uncommon in northern Scotland. The Common toad is found on the Channel Islands of Jersey, where it is called the Crapaud or Jeriais. It is native to the island, and grows larger than mainland Common toads. It has been introduced to Guernsey. The Common toad is absent from Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.
A common toad sunning itself one spring morning on a dry stane dyke on Carman Muir.
SURREY REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN GROUP : https://surrey-arg.org.uk/SARGWEB.php?app=SpeciesData&Species=common_toad#:~:text=The%20Common%20toad%20is%20widespread%20in%20the%20UK%2C,or%20Jeriais%29%2C%20and%20Guernsey%20%28where%20it%20was%20introduced%29.
WIKIPEDIA : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_toad
