Rattling or Clicking Froglet

Crinia glauerti

A small ground-dwelling frog that rarely exceeds 2 cm in length. The back may be smooth or have a number of ridges, and is variably patterned with markings of brown, black and grey. The belly of females is boldly blotched with black and white. Males have more uniformly coloured bellies and a dark throat.

Breeding

Males call from well-concealed positions in grass and tussocks surrounding water. Breeding activity usually starts in midwinter and extends through to early summer. Unlike most other local frogs, the clicking froglet can often be heard calling during the day, especially in light rain or with overcast skies.

Call

The call is a metallic rattling or clicking sound, and has been likened to the sound of a "rattle, like a pea in a can" by Bert Main (1965).

Eggs

A small number of eggs are laid singly in shallow water where they sink to the bottom. This makes them very difficult to locate.

Tadpoles

Maximum length of 2.5 cm. The body is heavily pigmented, with the usual pattern being a mottling of light and dark browns. Tail length is less than twice that of the body and the tip is pointed. Found in shallows of permanent and temporary water, often lying still on the bottom. If disturbed they sometimes bury themselves in the sediments. The larval period takes from 3-4 months before metamorphosis in spring.

Other Notes

This species is one of the smallest in the entire southwest, yet can be quite abundant when choruses form.