Here is a list of our native species. It's smaller than you may be expecting!

Newts

• Great Crested Newt
• Smooth Newt
• Palmate Newt
  

Frogs

• Common Frog
  

Toads

• Common Toad
• Natterjack Toad
  

When I came across this list I was surprised at how few native amphibians we have in this country. There are many more frogs and toads, as well as a couple of salamnder species that have moved here. There is also one type of frog whose origin is still under debate by experts.

This post was last modified: 22-03-2007 07:40 PM by Kingfisher.

I was also surprised when I was looking at the newts earlier. It really surprised me that there is only one native frog, and only two native toads.

Kingfisher

That is very surprising, I was expecting a much larger list. How many frog species have moved here?

There are at least 8 species of amphibians which are considered as established introduced species:

Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris)

Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex)

Midwife toad (Alytes obstetricans)

European tree frog (Hyla arborea)

Marsh frog Rana ridibunda (Pelophylax ridibundus)

Edible frog Rana esculenta (Pelophylax esculentus)

African clawed toad (Xenopus laevis)

Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata)

There are others which are not considered legally established, but which are very damaging to the environment. The American Bullfrog is of particular concern. This species gets quite large, and is a voracious eater.

Kingfisher