MARSH FROG
Marsh frogs can grow up to 150mm or 6 inches and are found in or around water. Luckily for identification purposes, the only other frog on Kefalonia is the tree frog, which grows to only 50mm (2 inches), and is usually bright green. Marsh frogs have a relatively sharp nose with a pale vocal sack under their chin. Their main bodies vary in colour, from light grey to brown or light to dark green, occasionally black. They are covered in green/brown/black patches or large spots and their legs are barred with a similar colouration. Their undersides are a creamy white.
According to the reference books, marsh frogs are usually found in deep ponds or rivers, but here, I have found them in shallow streams and ridiculously small puddles in ditches, even damp, mossy grass seems to be ok for this frog. They are diurnal, which means around during the day. While the frogs are small, insects are the favoured food, but as they mature and grow, they will eat fish, mice and fledgling birds. They began calling here at the beginning of March, before that they were hibernating in the mud, near their watery home. They should go back into hibernation in October.
