We have a few amphibians in Provence. One of them is the parsley frog.
Parsley frog: illustrated description
- The parsley frog has a vertical pupil.
- Its iris is yellow.
- There’s an “X” shape showing on the back of most parsley frogs (but some of them don’t necessary have it).
- The parsley frog has almost no webbing on its hind legs and there are no tubercules either attached to them (unlike the western spadefoot).
- During the breeding season, the male puts his hind legs around the female’s waist (she’s larger than him) right above her legs (this is called “lombar amplexus”) in order to reproduce. Calluses located on his front legs (hands and armpits) also help him stay attached to the female.
- As all frogs do (and contrary to toads), the parsley frog hops around.
- The parsley frog displays green spots on its back (hence its name: “parsley frog”)
- There is a lateral dorsal fold on each flank.
- The parsley frog‘s song sounds like two metal balls hitting against each other
Parsley frog: scientific classification
- Domain: biota
- Kingdom: animalia
- Phylum: chordata
- Class: amphibia
- Order: anura
- Family: pelodytidae
- Genus: pelodytes
- Species: Pelodytes punctatus
Sources:
"Guide des amphibiens d'Europe" d'A. & C. NÖLLERT,publisher: éditions Delachaux & Niestlé (book in French)
LPO (bird protection league) training (April 2024)