A large species of frog reaching up to 8 cm in body length. It has a light reddish-brown back, covered with small orange-red spots. The belly is grey, and the male has a brown throat. The pupil is nearly round, and the iris is orange. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are slightly webbed, both without discs. Their skin can secrete a very sticky glue-like substance.
Eggs have not been described, but are likely similar to those of other Notaden species and laid in temporarily flooded ditches and rock pools. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to nearly 4 cm, and are black or brown in colour. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies, and may take around one to one and a half months to develop into frogs. Breeds during the summer wet season after heavy rain.
Looks similar to Notaden melanoscaphus in its distribution, but has a different back colour.
Photo: Alexander Dudley
Photo: Alexander Dudley
Photo: Ruchira Somaweera
Photo: Ruchira Somaweera
By: Paul Doughty
Found only in the Kimberley region and two nearby islands in far northwestern WA.