Common River Frog
Afrikaans name: Gewone Rivierpadda
Common River Frog
Photo © Steven Herbert
Rana angolensis
The Common River Frog is apparently identical to the Drakensburg River Frog and can only be separated by their calls. (Frogs are such noisy creatures but I bet if you are waiting for one of these to call he will just look at you and keep quiet...). They are also similar to the Cape River Frog.
Their call consists of a rattling noise followed by a croak. When calling they may either be half-submerged or concealed.
These frogs may be found in streams in grassland as well as a variety of permanent bodies of water.
The Common River Frog is an attractive species but they don't always have the green stripe down their backs.
It occurs across most of South Africa other than the western extremes of the country from Cape Town to south of the Orange River.
When the light is bright their eyes are horizontally elliptical.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 71Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 258
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 87
Suburban Wildlife in KZN - Author: Dr. Jason Londt - Published: 2009 - Page: 98
South African Frogs - Author: Passmore & Carruthers - Published: 1979 - Page: 130
Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 250
Frogs & Toads of the Natal Drakensberg - Author: AJL Lambiris - Published: 1988 - Page: 26
Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 221
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 405
Sasol First Field Guide to Frogs of Southern Africa - Author: Vincent Carruthers - Published: 2012 - Page: 38
KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 136
A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 253
Field Guide to the Frogs & Toads of the Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site - Author: Conradie, Du Preez, Smith and Weldon - Published: 2006 - Page: 36
Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 74
Frogs & Frogging in South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Vincent Carruthers - Published: 2001 - Page: 79
Frogs & Frogging in South Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Vincent Carruthers and Louis du Preez - Published: 2011 - Page: 85
A complete guide to the Frogs of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: L du Preez & V Carruthers - Published: 2009 - Page: 396
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