Yellow Eyes...
Regular viewers will know that I make a visit once or twice a year to a nature reserve that has introduced southern clade pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae) - ie not the native race - present. These frogs liven up the pond and provide plenty of feeding opportunities for the local grass snake population. One of the interesting things about these frogs is that the males (or at least some of them) develop yellow irises and light yellow/golden heads during the breeding season, as with this one. Why they should do this I don't know, and I am not sure whether it has been studied. I think I was a little premature with my visit despite the warm and sunny weather as this was the only male (right out in the middle of the pond, inevitably) showing these colours as yet, and there was little in the way of croaking or other breeding activity, in spite of counting around 60 frogs. Another visit in a couple of weeks is definitely required!
Yellow Eyes...
Regular viewers will know that I make a visit once or twice a year to a nature reserve that has introduced southern clade pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae) - ie not the native race - present. These frogs liven up the pond and provide plenty of feeding opportunities for the local grass snake population. One of the interesting things about these frogs is that the males (or at least some of them) develop yellow irises and light yellow/golden heads during the breeding season, as with this one. Why they should do this I don't know, and I am not sure whether it has been studied. I think I was a little premature with my visit despite the warm and sunny weather as this was the only male (right out in the middle of the pond, inevitably) showing these colours as yet, and there was little in the way of croaking or other breeding activity, in spite of counting around 60 frogs. Another visit in a couple of weeks is definitely required!