Although the Edible Frog was once believed to be a separate species of frog, it is now surmised to be a hybrid of two species of Green Frog! These lovely little amphibians inhabit much of central Europe and have even been introduced to Great Britain.

Edible Frogs, like most frogs, eat insects. They especially prefer arthropods. These are mainly caught on the surface of the water or on the bank, where the Edible Frog spends most of its time. When disturbed, the Edible Frog will dive into the water, where it often spends more time than other concurrent species of frog. It has eyes on top of its head, in addition to webbed feet, that help adapt it to a more aquatic lifestyle. Edible Frogs also have coloration that is very similar to that of surrounding plants, affording them good camouflage from predators. In warmer months, Edible Frogs are often crepuscular and can be seen and heard at dawn and dusk. They may also begin to call quite loudly in early summer and, if temperatures drop particularly low in winter, they may hibernate.

Female Edible Frogs are larger than males, averaging between about 2.5 and 4.5 inches (6.4 and 11.4 centimeters) of length, while males only grow to between 2 and 3.5 inches (5 and 9 centimeters) long. Usually, a light or white vertical stripe runs over the heavily black spotted back. Sometimes, the dorsal spots are not present. The belly is white. The sides are often adorned by yellow spots, and the rest of the Edible Frog is usually a bright green color. The vocal sacs of male Edible Frogs can be used to sex this species, and are usually pale in color or white. Edible Frog tadpoles are usually dark brown or slightly green; and will range from 1 to 3.5 inches in length. They have round bodies and flat tails.

It seems that Edible frogs are native to most of Europe, in areas with lower altitudes. They may be found as far north as Scandinavia and as far south as Tuscany. Imported from Belgium and France in 1840, many Edible Frogs were introduced to Great Britain. It is thought that they may have been found there in the 1770s, as well, although today their status on that island is not known with certainty. Edible Frogs are nearly always found in conjunction with Pool Frogs, also known as Pond Frogs. They are probably a hybrid between the Pool Frog, Rana lessonae and the Marsh Frog, Rana ridibunda. In Tuscany, Italy, numbers of Edible Frogs that may be caught and captive�kept are limited.

Because of their aquatic habits, Edible Frogs should have a pool area and a land area. They should be fed a variety insects.

Care of tadpoles is quite different from care of adult frogs. Edible Frog tadpoles should be kept in a full water aquarium or a half water, half land tank. Make sure to treat water, as chlorine is harmful for tadpoles. Water should be filtered in either setup, though bio-filters are preferred for full aquariums, and smaller filters are better for the half and half tanks. Fish may be aggressive to tadpoles, so they usually do best with non-aggressive, small fish such as Neon Tetras. Tadpoles can be housed singly, but they tend to remain inactive. They do best in groups of two to four individuals. When kept in small groups they tend to swim together, and are usually a lot more active. Be careful of overcrowding.

It may be difficult to breed Edible Frogs to other Edible Frogs. The best way to reproduce for this species, is to mate with one of the frog species it was hybridized from. Edible Frogs usually mate in May and June, although breeding may continue throughout the summer. Males attract females with their sharp crackling calls that are usually vocalized in an even, continuous series. Most females will lay three separate clutches of eggs. Each usually contains between three and four thousand eggs and is attached to aquatic vegetation at the bottom of the breeding pond.

Like all frogs, the Edible Frog begins its life as a tadpole. The tadpole stage will last for approximately 2 months. When they are first born they cannot swim, and are usually seen clinging to plants. A few days after birth, they will begin to swim by wiggling their tales. Later they will begin to grow hind legs. Once the legs are fully developed they will use them to swim and push their way through the water. Around this time development will continue and they will begin changing into frogs. Skin will grow over the gills, and they will start developing lungs. The front legs will also begin to grow at this time. The body absorbs the tales, and they usually stop eating at this time. It should be noted that care of Edible Frog tadpoles is difficult and for this reason they may be better suited to experienced hobbyists.