🐸 Red Frog of the Sella River: Climate Adaptation and Unique Reproduction
The red frog (Rana temporaria) is an amphibian species highly representative of the humid environments of northern Spain, and especially common in the cool, vegetated areas of the Sella River basin.
Recognizable by its horizontal pupil and a distinctive pale fold along its back, this frog can display different color tones: gray, brown, pinkish, or yellowish, always with irregular dark spots.
📏 Size and Physical Characteristics
Adult specimens usually measure between 7 and 9 cm, although they can occasionally reach up to 11 cm, making them one of the most robust frog species in the Asturian environment.
🌿 Habitat in the Sella River
Although it needs humid areas, it rarely stays in water outside the breeding season. It is often found in:
- 🏞️ Riverside meadows along the Sella
- 🌾 Edges of ponds and streams
- 🌳 Shady forests with abundant vegetation
During spring and summer, it is commonly seen in mid-mountain areas or valley bottoms where the climate remains cool.
🔁 Reproduction and Thermal Requirements
The breeding season begins in March and can extend until June. This species needs cold winters for its sex cells to develop properly, so:
- 🌡️ It cannot tolerate stable temperatures above 26 °C.
- ❄️ Requires winters with temperatures below 5 °C.
- 💤 Hibernates in mud or among vegetation when the cold is extreme.
During spawning, females deposit gelatinous strands containing thousands of eggs. The tadpoles develop slowly, adapted to the Sella’s temperate, humid climate.
♻️ Ecological Importance
The red frog acts as a bioindicator of the overall health of the Sella River ecosystems. Additionally:
- 🧪 Its presence reflects the quality of water and the surrounding environment.
🐸 Its tadpoles help regulate algae growth.
🍃 It is a vital part of the food chain, feeding birds, snakes, and small mammals.
