French Frogs and other Amphibians Quiz

Answer: the Pyrenees

The Pyrenean frog (Rana pyrenaica) is only found in the extreme south-west corner of the Pyrenees.
It is listed as 'vulnerable' due to habitat loss and is fully protected.

Answer: the common midwife toad

When the male common midwife toad 'Alytes obstetricans' (known as the alyte accoucheur in France) has fertilised the female's eggs, he wraps them around his back legs to keep them safe from predators.
When the eggs are ready to hatch he wades into swallow water and allows the tadpoles to jump out of the egg sac.
What's more he does this from spring until late summer - what a great guy!
The parsley frog exists, as does the common tree frog, but, as far as I know, the seahorse toad is a figment of my imagination!

Answer: crested newt

The crested newt, 'Triturus cristatus', is the largest European newt, growing to 18 cm in length. The colour (of the newt), and the size of the crest, changes depending on which phase the newt is in; aquatic breeding phase or land phase. During the aquatic breeding phase the male's jagged crest enlarges to reach from head to tail. The female's crest also enlarges, but, unlike the male's, it's smooth.
They are considered at risk and fully protected in France and across Europe.
The palmate newt is known as the triton palmé and the Alpine newt as the triton alpestre.

Answer: all can be found in France

All live in France, although the Spanish terrapin " Mauremys leprosa" is only found in the South ( the French/Spanish Mediterranean border area.)

Answer: black with vivid yellow markings

The fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is believed to be so called because it likes to hibernate during the winter in logs that have been collected for firewood. When the logs are thrown on the fire, the salamander wakes up and makes a speedy exit, leading people to believe that they lived in the fire.

Then again, their skin exudes a toxic substance which can burn sensitive skin and care should be taken not to touch your mouth if you have handled one.

Answer: all of these

The common water, common European and edible frog are one and the same 'Pelophylax kl. esculentus'. Widespread through France and Europe. They have short legs, but fat thighs - unfortunately for them!

Answer: When threatened

The agile frog (Rana dalmatina) is slender in appearance; long head, pointed snout, and very long rear legs, useful for jumping.
During hibernation the male spends winter in the mud at the bottom of ponds, whereas the female prefers a drier home and seeks out a hole in the ground.

Answer: emits a foul smell and inflates its body

No, toad gun laws are very strict :-)
The natterjack, known as crapaud des joncs in French is found in most regions of France, although its population has dropped dramatically due to loss of habitat and human disturbance. It is now a protected species "Berne Convention, Annexe 2. Habitats Directive, Annexe 4. National protection, Art.1."
It does have a loud call, mostly heard at night as it's nocturnal.

Answer: rainette arboricole

The common tree frog can be found in most areas of France and in a large range of habitats where it rarely descends to the ground. Its presence is often made evident by its loud singing, from April until early summer and again at the end of summer into autumn. There is nothing quite like sitting out on a balmy night, with a glass of vin, listening to male tree frogs calling all females in the local area!
The stripeless tree frog is known as the 'rainette meridionale'
Both species have seen considerable population decline and are considered vulnerable, both are mentioned in the National red list; art.1.

Answer: all are correct

The male does sing night and day but without a vocal sac it doesn't carry very far - poor little critter!
When threatened it turns over to display its brightly coloured underside, yellow with black markings, in the hope predators will believe it's not edible.
Yet another toad considered endangered and fully protected in France. "Article 1, Habitats directive Annexes 2 & 4, Berne convention Annexe 2."

I have never set out to make a quiz about endangered fauna and yet the more quizzes I do, and the more I learn, I realise that, if not very careful, we are going to lose many wonderful creatures. The 2006 report from the World Conservation Union (IUCN) suggests that up to one quarter of the Mediterranean's amphibians and reptiles are likely to become extinct in the next few years.