• Background
• Characteristics

(Photo: FROGWATCH Resource Materials 1990)

Spencer's Frog is variable in colour and pattern from dark grey or brown all over to pale grey with contrasting darker patches. The frog is restricted to the northern arid areas of the State. As in many of the Limnodynastes species, a pale mid-dorsal stripe is often present.

Although spending much of the time in burrows, the frog may emerge if the sand in creek beds is moist. They are also known to move far into the hills and ranges after rains.

Spencer's Frog distribution map

Size: Males 29-45 mm; Females 33-46 mm.

Habitat: Usually associated with the arid zones of northern and central Australia, particularly with sandy beds of temporary creeks.

Breeding: Up to 1130 eggs are laid in a foam nest in rock holes of hills and ranges following heavy rains. Tadpoles may complete development in 40 days.

Advertisement call: A rapid ‘ho-ho-ho’.