Ticking Frog

Geocrinia leai

A small climbing frog growing to a maximum length of 2.5 cm. The back is dark brown surrounding an irregular, central patch of grey to black colour. The belly is smooth and has a distinctive, greenish hue. The hind limbs are relatively long and powerful and the thighs have several dark cross-bands. Unlike any of the other small ground frogs (family Myobatrachidae), the ticking frog has expanded discs on the fingers and toes to help it climb.

Breeding

A late autumn to winter breeder, with the greatest activity timed to coincide with high water levels in the streams and ponds.

Call

A repeated 'tk...tk...tk'.

Eggs

Up to 100 or so eggs are laid at a time. These are attached by jelly at the base of vegetation adjacent to the water bodies, with several females sometimes using the same site. After a period of development within the eggs, the tadpoles break free of jelly and wriggle into the water. This usually takes place during rain which also helps to break up the egg mass and washes any stray tadpoles into the water.

Tadpoles

The tadpoles of this species are relatively small and take a long time to develop (as long as 4 months). They are well adapted to life in flowing water with deep fins and enlarged mouthparts which can act as a suction device to prevent them being washed away in fast moving water. Some tadpoles have a bright pair of stripes on the back.

Other Notes

Although the Ticking Frog has an unusual breeding biology, it has evolved them to suit the predictable winter rains of the southwest along with Heleioporus and Pseudophryne species.