Common Name: Hyrcanian Wood Frog
Scientific Name: Rana pseudodalmatina
Family: Ranidae – True Frog family
Location: Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan*
Female Size: x
Male Size: x
The Hyrcanian Wood Frog lives in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran (hence the name) and the forests in the Talysh Mountains and the Lenkoran low lands in Azerbaijan. It is the first frog in the region to start breeding in December and January. They lay their eggs in all sorts of fresh water bodies such as ponds, rivers, and ditches. The male frogs will call out to attract female frogs. Once the female frog arrives, the male frog grasps her from behind in amplexus. Then, the female frog lays her eggs and the male frog fertilizes them. The female frog lays between 133 to 2,569 eggs. Neither parent provides any parental care.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Hyrcanian Wood Frog as Least Concern for Extinction. The frog has a wide range and a presumed large population. However, it is believed to be extinct in Turkmenistan.