A large frog slightly flattened with a very small head, tiny eyes and short muscular limbs which come out of the sides of the body instead of beneath the body like other frogs.

As it has a slight hump in the middle of its body and this is why it is called the Turtle Frog. It's back can vary in colour from a dull grey to very dark brown.

This is the only genus containing this single species of frog in WA.

The fingers and toes are unwebbed

Males are 34-42mm from snout to vent and females 44-50mm snout to vent.

It is found in the Southwest and Arid areas of Western Australia separated by the Darling Range, east to Southern Cross as they occur mostly in sandy soils.  They have been found under large logs in dense scrub in sand hills. 

What does this frog eat?

 According to Frogwatch they have been found to eat termites.  I wasn't able to get a response as to which termites they require.

This frog call has been recorded at Whiteman Park just north of Perth and I have been out there to see the site where this frog could be.  I will be returning after we have some heavy summer rain.  You must ask permission to enter this park after 6pm.  It is apprantly also at Yalgorup National Park just south of Mandurah in the Peel region.

Text

Frogwatch WA Museum
"Frogs Of Western Australia" by M J Tyler, L A Smith, R E Johnstone.
" Reptiles And Frogs Of The Perth Region" by Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, Robert Browne-Cooper and David Robinson.