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Presentation
The North African Green Frog is a medium-sized anuran belonging to the Ranidae family. Characterized by its smooth, shiny skin ranging from green to greenish-brown, this species is well adapted to aquatic environments in North Africa.
This frog is distinguished by its smooth, shiny green skin, sometimes with darker spots or mottling. The hind limbs are robust and equipped with well-developed webbing. Prominent eyes and visible eardrums are major characteristic features.
Characteristics
Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.
Habitat and distribution
This frog colonizes rivers, lakes, ponds and permanent or semi-permanent wetland areas. It particularly favors well-oxygenated freshwater bodies, often bordered by dense aquatic vegetation that provides shelter and hunting grounds. It avoids polluted stagnant water.
CURRENT RANGE
Endemic to North Africa, its distribution extends primarily across Morocco and Algeria, with confirmed presence in Tunisia where it represents the only indigenous green frog. Its range remains fragmented and linked to available aquatic habitats.
Behaviour
A highly aquatic amphibious species, it spends most of its time in freshwater where it swims with agility. It is particularly active during warm and humid periods. These frogs are often gregarious and gather in significant numbers in suitable areas, especially during breeding season.
Reproduction
Reproduction typically occurs in spring and summer when water conditions are favorable. Males emit characteristic mating calls to attract females. After amplexus, the female lays numerous eggs in clusters that hatch into aquatic tadpoles, which undergo progressive metamorphosis.
Peculiarities
Remarkable ability to leap over short distances and swim powerfully thanks to its webbed feet. It has sufficiently moist skin to breathe partly through transcutaneous respiration. Its mating call is a powerful croaking sound that can be heard several hundred meters away, particularly during nocturnal choruses.
Threats and conservation
Although listed as Least Concern, the species faces progressive habitat degradation due to drought, reduction of water sources, and wetland modification. Water pollution and the introduction of competitive or predatory species represent additional threats to monitor.
Numbers and trends vary across sources and regions. See the IUCN assessment for the latest reference data.
Gallery
1 documented photographs.
References
UICN — Liste rouge des espèces menacées
Profile updated 08 August 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least concern (LC)
IUCN source, latest published assessment.
Similar animals
Other species documented in Animalpedia.