Frequently asked questions
You can find answers to our most frequently asked questions by searching on a keyword or category on the right.
Alternatively, why not ask our virtual assistant Annie.
Breeding season for British frogs and newts
The breeding seasons for the most common amphibians are approximately:
- Common frog: mid January - mid April
- Common toad: early February - early May
- Smooth newt: early April - early August
- Palmate newt: early April - early August
Please note: The actual timing of mating and spawning is very variable, since it depends on the weather conditions. There may be several months’ difference in the timing of frogs spawning in different parts of the country. For example, in Cornwall frogspawn can be seen from the end of December and January, whereas in Newcastle it’s probably not seen until the end of March or early April.
Despite these differences, generally speaking:
- frogspawn normally hatch from early March to late April
- tadpoles grow legs during May
- common frogs (and toads) leave the water from June to July.
Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) and Froglife have more information on species of these animals living in the UK.
Other useful information:
Caring for amphibians and reptiles as non-domestic pets
See a list of our FAQs.
