What do burrowing frogs eat

Also looks similar to Limnodynastes dumerilii and Limnodynastes terraereginae in its distribution, but these species generally have different colours on the side and thighs, and also lack a vertical pupil. Download the FrogID app and you can discover which frogs live around you and help us count Australia's frogs! Eggs are laid as a foamy mass out of the water inside burrows or empty crayfish holes, and occasionally underneath long tussock grass on moist sandy soil near creeks, dams, or temporary pools.

Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 8 cm, and are dark black in colour. They escape into water from their burrows after flooding, often remaining at the bottom of water bodies. They take three to eleven months to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to autumn.

A short burst of activity then follows. Up to the surface they climb, feed and reproduce before the water disappears. Least concern IUCN 3. Spencer's burrowing frog is an opportunistic feeder, eating whatever insects are available.

Termites are a common food item because of their own breeding response to the same moist conditions which brings the frogs to the surface. They breed at any time of year following heavy rain. The males call day and night from the water: a soft deep call somewhat similar to that of a laying hen. Its big eyes bulge out of its head but also poke down into the mouth. When the frog has food in its mouth, it pushes its eyes down several times to crush it.

Males call from within or adjacent to breeding sites with a low pitched and plaintiff owl-like oop oop oop oop in rapid succession. Tadpoles are large up to 75 mm and very dark blue to black.

Distribution The Giant Burrowing Frog is distributed in south eastern NSW and Victoria, and appears to exist as two distinct populations: a northern population largely confined to the sandstone geology of the Sydney Basin and extending as far south as Ulladulla, and a southern population occurring from north of Narooma through to Walhalla, Victoria. Habitat and ecology Found in heath, woodland and open dry sclerophyll forest on a variety of soil types except those that are clay based.

Whilst in non-breeding habitat it burrows below the soil surface or in the leaf litter. Individual frogs occupy a series of burrow sites, some of which are used repeatedly. The home ranges of both sexes appear to be non-overlapping suggesting exclusivity of non-breeding habitat.

Home ranges are approximately 0. Individuals move into the breeding site either immediately before or following heavy rain and occupy these sites for up to 10 days.

Most individuals will not attempt to breed every year. The Giant Burrowing Frog has a generalist diet and studies to date indicate that they eat mainly invertebrates including ants, beetles, cockroaches, spiders, centipedes and scorpions. When breeding, frogs will call from open spaces, under vegetation or rocks or from within burrows in the creek bank.

Males show strong territoriality at breeding sites. This species breeds mainly in autumn, but has been recorded calling throughout the year. Egg masses are foamy with an average of approximately eggs and are laid in burrows or under vegetation in small pools. After rains, tadpoles are washed into larger pools where they complete their development in ponds or ponded areas of the creekline.

Tadpole development ranges from around 12 weeks duration to up to 12 months with late developing tadpoles overwintering and completing development when warmer temperatures return. Breeding habitat of this species is generally soaks or pools within first or second order streams.

They are also commonly recorded from 'hanging swamp' seepage lines and where small pools form from the collected water. This frog is a slow growing and long-lived species, living up to 10 years of age, possibly longer.