Hooting Frog

Heleioporus barycragus Lee 1967

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago


This is the largest member of the Heleioporus genus found in Western Australia attaining a maximum length of almost 9 cm. Body shape is round with large protruding eyes. The body is chocolate brown with a scattering of yellow spots on the flanks (sometimes with a small black spine in the centre of these spots). Males have massive front arms and large black spines on the fingers in the breeding season.

Breeding Biology

Males of this species excavate burrows in the banks of streams that become inundated after winter rains. Hooting Frog burrows are relatively short compared to other Heleioporus species. Males call from within the burrow in autumn to attract females. If a female enters the burrow, the male will embrace her (amplexus) and she will deposit the eggs at the bottom of the burrow in damp soil. The egg masses of this species are white and foamy. As many as 500 eggs may be laid in each mass. Rising water caused by winter rain eventually floods the burrows, allowing the newly developed tadpoles to wriggle free of the egg mass and swim in to the water body.

Tadpoles are dark brown to pale grey with a series of thin, light coloured lines on either side. They grow to 6 cm, with the tail twice as long as the body with low fins and a rounded tip. Development time is from eight to twelve weeks.

Habitat

Lateric surfaces in the Darling Range. Occupies winter-flowing water courses, often on clay or granite.

Etymology

barycragus means 'deep-voiced' in reference to the low frequency call.

General

This large charasmatic species can still be encountered in the hills behind Perth.

Distribution map for Hooting Frog

The Darling Escarpment from Bullsbrook south to Mt Williams and east to Dryandra. Absent from the coastal plain.

A low pitched owl-like 'hoot' repeated slowly.