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Care Sheet: Pool Frog (Rana lessonae)

Common Name: Pool Frog.

Scientific Name: Rana lessonae.

Distribution: France, eastern Europe and Italy

Size: 9cm (31/2")

Sexing: Males can be heard calling during the breeding season, at this time they will also develop nuptial pads on the first two digits of the forelimbs.

Colouration: The dorsal surface can range from green to brown, darker markings appear in the form of stripes on the limbs and spots on the back. A light dorsal stripe may also be present. Males have white vocal sacs.

Requirements: Pool Frogs are mainly aquatic and require a large aquarium. A 20-gallon tank would be adequate for 2-4 adults. These Frogs can be maintained in a semi-aquatic set-up. The best method of doing this is with a large floating island or built in glass shelf covering 1/4 of the water surface for the Frogs to climb out on to. A base substrate of gravel is ideal with large pebbles and aquatic plants arranged to provide a number of hiding places. The water should be clean de-chlorinated or spring water at a depth of 25cm (10"). The water will need to be filtered using a submersible power filter to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water, and partial water changes should be carried out at regular intervals. It is also a good idea to lightly oxygenate the water with the use of an air-stone. A water temperature of 15-25°C (59-77°F) should be maintained, and fluorescent UVB tube should be used as a light source.

Feeding: Juvenile Frogs should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects including small crickets and mini-mealworm. The food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement two-three times a week. Adult Frogs should be fed every two-three days with a mixture of crickets, regular mealworms, earthworms, waxworms, and curly-flies. The food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement once a week.