Editing Common frog (section)

==Description==
The adult common frog has a body length of {{convert|6|to|9|cm|in|1}}.<ref name="Complete">{{Cite book|last= Sterry|first= Paul|title= Complete British Wildlife Photoguide|year= 1997|publisher= [[HarperCollins]]|location= London|isbn= 0-583-33638-8 }}</ref> In addition, its back and flanks vary in colour from olive green<ref name="BBC"/> to grey-brown, brown, olive brown, grey, yellowish and [[rufous]].<ref name="Amphibia"/> However, it can lighten and darken its skin to match its surroundings.<ref name="BBC"/> Some individuals have more unusual colouration—both black and red individuals have been found in Scotland, and [[albino]] frogs have been found with yellow skin and red eyes. During the mating season the male common frog tends to turn greyish-blue (see video below). The average mass is {{convert|22.7|g|oz|abbr=on}}; the female is usually slightly larger than the male.<ref name="BBC"/>
[[File:Rana temporaria tadpoles eating 8.jpg|thumb|Captive common frog tadpoles eating a crushed garden snail]]
[[File:RanaTemporariaMaleThumb.JPG|thumb|Male during breeding season showing the nuptial pad, white throat and a blue grey hue over the normal black and brown skin]]
[[File:Rana_Temporaria_After_Egg_Laying_Mid-Norway_May_2013.jpg|thumb|Common frog mass spawning event in the wild]]

The flanks, limbs and backs are covered with irregular dark blotches<ref name="BBC"/> and they usually sport a [[Chevron (insignia)|chevron]]-shaped spot on the back of their neck and a dark spot behind the eye.<ref name="Amphibia"/> Unlike other amphibians, common frogs generally lack a mid-dorsal band but, when they have one, it is comparatively faint.<ref name="Amphibia"/> In many countries [[moor frog]]s have a light dorsal band which easily distinguishes them from common frogs. The underbelly is white or yellow (occasionally more orange in females) and can be speckled with brown or orange.<ref name="BBC"/> The eyes are brown with transparent horizontal pupils, and they have transparent inner eyelids to protect the eyes while underwater, as well as a 'mask' which covers the eyes and eardrums.<ref name="BBC"/> Although the common frog has long hind legs compared to the [[common toad]], they are shorter than those of the [[agile frog]] with which it shares some of its range. The longer hind legs and fainter colouration of the agile frog are the main features that distinguish the two species.

Males are distinguished from females by being smaller and having hard swellings known as [[nuptial pad]]s, on the first digits of their forelimbs, which are used to grasp females during mating.<ref name="Complete"/><ref name="BBC"/> During the mating season males' throats often turn white, and their overall colour is generally light and greyish, while the female is browner, or even red.<ref name="Amphibia"/>

These smooth-skinned frogs can grow to an average weight of 22.7 grams and length of seven to ten centimeters (2.8-3.9&nbsp;in) with colors varying from gray to green, brown, yellow, or red and may be covered in blotches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/128297/common-frog|title=Common frog &#124; amphibian &#124; Britannica}}</ref> The underside is white or yellow, often with spots.<ref name="BBC"/>