Humming Frog

Neobatrachus pelobatoides

A moderate-sized frog attaining a length of up to 4.5 cm. They have a flat broad head and a vertical (cat-like) pupil. The back pattern and colour is quite variable although a base colour of pale green or grey with darker green or brown irregular patches is most common. Usually there is a fine pale red stripe running from the tip of the snout to the base of the back. Often a pale stripe is visible even if not red. The skin on the back is always granular. Males have a nuptial pad (rough patch) on

Breeding

Autumn and early winter is the usual breeding time in areas of reliable winter rainfall. In the more arid parts of the southwest they are more opportunistic and tend to breed after any heavy rain. Males usually call from open positions in temporary pools.

Call

A low pitched hum or trill that is difficult to hear over long distances. Similar to the call of the introduced Cane Toad.

Eggs

Eggs are laid in a continuous string that settles to the bottom. As many as 500 eggs may be laid by an individual female but larger numbers may be found as several females may deposit eggs in the same location.

Tadpoles

Tadpoles attain a maximum length of 6 cm and are a uniform pale colour on their upper surfaces while the under surface is silvery-white. The tail is approximately one and a half times the length of the body.

Other Notes

This species often breeds 'explosively' when it rains - all the breeding takes place in only a few short days after storms.