Download App
Back to Frogs

Neobatrachus wilsmorei

Plonking Frog

Conservation Status

EPBC:

Unlisted

IUCN:

Least Concern

Calling Period

Possible
Yes
Peak
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Description

A large species of frog reaching up to 6.5 cm in body length. It has a dark brown back, with several bright yellow longitudinal stripes. There are also bright yellow squiggle-like markings on the sides, and a yellow circle around each eye. The belly is white. The pupil is vertical, and the iris is silver-gold. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are three-quarters webbed, both without discs. There is also a black-edged metatarsal tubercle on the bottom of each foot: this is a shovel-shaped lump used for burrowing.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as clusters that sink to the bottom of the water in claypans and temporary pools. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 9 cm, and are pale gold or nearly white in colour. They swim at all depths of water bodies, and take around one and a half to three months to develop into frogs. Breeds during summer after heavy rain.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Neobatrachus aquilonius, Neobatrachus fulvus, Neobatrachus kunapalari, Neobatrachus pelobatoides, and Neobatrachus sutor in its distribution, but has a different back pattern.

Images

Photo: Stephen Mahony

Photo: Ben Parkhurst

Photo: Ben Parkhurst

Calls

By: Dale Roberts

Distribution

Found inland and along the west coast of central WA.

What is FrogID

About UsFrogID ScienceFrogID for SchoolsOur partners