• Background
• Characteristics

(Photo: Steve Walker)

(Photo: Steve Walker)

In South Australia the Smooth Frog is restricted to the south east of the State. It is a medium sized frog with short limbs and smooth skin. Pale pink patches are present underneath the legs and in the groin. The belly tends to be mottled or densely covered with grey or dark brown flecks. It is easily confused with Crinia signifera or Pseudophryne species.

Smooth Frog distribution map

Size: Males 23-27 mm; Females 22-35 mm.

Habitat: Found amongst leaf litter in dry sclerophyll (Eucalyptus) and pine forests subject to temporary flooding.

Breeding: The Smooth Frog does not breed in water, instead it lays large unpigmented eggs in loose, elongated masses attached to moist vegetation. Following flooding, tadpoles hatch in the water and complete development in about six months.

Advertisement call: Call consists of a variable number of pulses, the first often being longer than the rest. ‘cra-a-a-a-a-a-a-ck….cra-a-a-ck…cra-a-ck’.