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We are unable to get an
identification on this frog but we think it is the Water-holding frog.
It was seen on Marble Bar
Road in the Eastern Pilbara district after there had been some rain in
December and pools of water had collected. Many frogs were calling
at once. This was in a reasonably flat area.
The Water-holding frog call
is the sound like its calling 'Mawwww ......maw maw maw'
We think the other frogs are
Main's frog, Go here to see our page on this frog. |
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Here in the photograph you
can see the toes are webbed but I can't remember if the fingers were to
which is a characteristic of the Water-holding frog. |
This frog can burrow down
(with its webbed feet) from 30cm -1 metre below ground, stay totally
inactive and slow its metabolic rate so it barley uses any energy to
stay alive. But it does secrete a mucous through its skin which
fills up the area its in and then hardens around the frog to form a
sack. (Other sources says it sheds its skin which all frogs do on
a regular basis). Once the rains come and soften the soil the frog
breaks open the sack and digs its way out. |
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Females are larger at approx
49-68mm in length from snout to vent, the males are 40-47mm in length.
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What
do they eat?
This frog is known for its
ability to store fresh drinkable water where aboriginals could dig up
and gently squeeze the frog to obtain the water. But this frog has
another trick. It has the ability to catch its prey such as water
larvae and other water insects and perhaps small fish under water |
Just as other frogs such as
the Motorbike frog uses its hands to push into its mouth large prey
while on land, this frog can do this underwater. |
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You can see it has large ear
discs.
It was seen floating on the
plant material calling out. It lives in a variety of habits.
Go to our page on the frogs
Life Cycle to learn about the tadpoles of this frog. |