Giant Frog

Cyclorana australis

A large ground-dwelling frog that can reaches sizes of over 10 cm in females and 8 cm in males. This species has a large triangular head, robust muscular body and long limbs. They are either ruddy brown or sometimes green with dark stripes on each side of the head. The dorsal skin is rough with a pair of raised skin folds on the back and on the sides. The fingers are elongate and unwebbed and the foot has a large metatarsal tubercle.

Breeding

Breeds early in the wet season in temporary pools and ditches.

Call

A loud 'whoark...whoark' repeated frequently.

Eggs

About 1000 eggs are laid in a single spawn.

Tadpoles

Tadpoles are pale brown or dull grey, and attain a maximum length of almost 7 cm. Tadpoles 'school' together.

Other Notes

Most likely to be confused with the exotic Cane Toad but lacks prominent brow ridges and is a burrowing species. Giant Frogs are one of the most commonly encountered frogs in the Kimberley and can often be seen on roads at night.

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Distribution

Kimberley region and in the surrounding arid zone. Also extends across the northern half of NT and to the Gulf region of Queensland.

Habitat

Active at night in open poorly vegetated country. In the day they burrow about 10 cm in to the soil for shelter.