Forest Toadlet

Metacrinia nichollsi

A small short-bodied frog with short legs, a tendency to run rather than hop and a rather sedate disposition. The undersurface is strikingly marked with dark purple and often has contrasting yellow or orange patches. The upper surface often shows brilliant orange patches in the groin, thigh and upper arms with a purplish back. Maximum size is 2.5 cm.

Breeding

Development is entirely terrestrial with no need for free standing water. Males may call from high in bushes which is quite unusual for a terrestrial frog. Males also call from under leaf litter after spring and summer rains. There are reports of females of this species also calling.

Call

The call is a short and grating croak with a "twang".

Eggs

25 - 30 eggs are laid under cover in the leaf litter in late summer.

Tadpoles

The tadpole stage is skipped in this species; instead the young hatch directly out of the eggs after several months.

Other Notes

The striking belly pattern may mimic fungus, common among the leaf litter where this species is found.