About Rana graeca Boulenger, 1891
The Greek stream frog, also called simply the Greek frog, has the scientific name Rana graeca Boulenger, 1891. It is a species of frog in the family Ranidae, found in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro and Turkey. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate grassland, rivers, intermittent rivers, freshwater springs, and pastureland. The International Union for Conservation of Nature does not consider this species threatened. Greek stream frogs reproduce only once a year. Their reproductive period starts shortly after hibernation in February, and ends in April. During reproduction, males produce calls that can come from either below or above the water surface, with calling happening mainly during the night. Males may also call during the day depending on water temperature. The species prefers calling and mating sites that are safe and hidden, such as dark crevices in the stream bank under roots or stones. After mating, egg masses are attached to the roof of a cavity. Each egg mass holds between 200 and 2000 individual eggs. The eggs themselves are 2 to 3.5 millimetres in diameter, and are surrounded by a protective gelatinous envelope that measures 4 to 7 millimetres across. Observations suggest that males may guard the eggs for some period of time. Newly hatched larvae are around 9 millimetres in length, and grow to 45 millimetres over two to three months, though cooler water temperatures can slow their development. Young Greek stream frogs reach sexual maturity after their third hibernation.
