Giant Burrowing Frog

Images ©:
©Murray Littlejohn

Heleioporus australiacus

One of the largest frogs. Adult length 60-100 mm. Adults are dark brown. Belly is white.

Details
Type
Amphibian
Group
Animals
Frog - Southern Frog
Biology

Breeding season: December to February. Males call from concealed floating vegetation within waterbodies. Usually spawn in a small water-filled burrow or under thick vegetation in dams, ditches and slow flowing streams. Eggs (750-1250 and unpigmented) are laid in a foam mass. Tadpoles hatch when the water rises to flood the burrow.
Distinctive Markings

Yellow-white spots on their sides. Vertical pupil.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Anura
Family
Myobatrachidae
Genus
Limnodynastes
Species
interioris

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

The Giant Burrowing Frog is one of the largest frogs. The males of this species possess large black spines and thorns on their fingers, arms, and chests to aid in gripping the slippery female whilst spawning. This armoury may also be used in male combat.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Carnivore. Adults feed on a wide variety of insects.
Habitat

Adults live in wet and dry forests and woodlands.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Audio samples
Audio ©
Murray Littlejohn
Sounds
The call is soft, very low-pitched and owl-like "ou-ou-ou-ou-ou", lasting a second or two.