Neobatrachus pictus


Painted Frog

Distribution

Distribution map for Neobatrachus pictus
Found in southwest NSW, western VIC, and southeast SA.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Least Concern

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Murray Littlejohn

Call recorded by Cavin Osborn

Call recorded by David Lindholm

Call recorded by David Lindholm

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A large species of frog reaching up to 6.5 cm in body length. It has a yellow-brown or grey back, with darker brown patches and a pale yellow or cream-coloured longitudinal stripe along the middle. The belly is white. The pupil is vertical, and the iris is bronze in the upper half and silver in the lower half. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are nearly fully webbed, both without discs. There is also a large metatarsal tubercle on the bottom of each foot: this is a shovel-shaped lump used for burrowing.

Habitats

Occurs in arid areas, open woodland and coastal swamps, often underground in burrows waiting for heavy rain.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as loose clusters near the surface of the water in temporary ponds, swamps, and dams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to nearly 8 cm, and are grey, gold, or gold-brown in colour. They swim at all depths of water bodies, and take around five to seven months to develop into frogs. Breeds during late summer to spring after heavy rain.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Neobatrachus sudellae in its distribution, but is larger and has a different call.