Bumpy Rocket Frog

Litoria inermis (Peters 1867)

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago

A small to medium-sized (to 3.5 cm), elongate ground-dwelling frog with a prominent and elongate head, long fingers with no webbing and small terminal discs, and moderately long hindlegs with incompletely webbed toes. The back is brown and mottled with irregular patches of dark brown. Pale yellow markings on the thighs are diffuse. There is a distinct white patch at the angle of the jaw. The skin on the back is coarsely tubercular, hence the common name.

Breeding Biology

Males call from open areas near water at the onset of the wet season. Approximately 100-300 eggs are laid in temporary pools where there is little or no emergent vegetation. Eggs are laid on the surface of the water. Tadpoles are mottled brown and can be as large as 4 cm.

Habitat

Grasslands, swamps and streams. Also occuring in pools and creeks in rocky gorges.

Etymology

The specific name inermis means 'unarmed' or 'without weapons'. This is in reference to a lack of a sharp inner metatarsal tubercle that most burrowing forms usually have. At the time of description in the 19th century the Bumpy Rocket Frog was incorrectly believed to be a burrower within the genus Cyclorana which possesses sharp tubercles for burrowing.

General

A common frog in the Australian tropics. Very similar in call and appearance to the Pale Rocket Frog, but is smaller, bumpier and has call elements that do not waver.

Kimberley region. Also in the Top End and northern Queensland.

A loud high-pitched beeping note repeated frequently - 'meep...meep...meep'. Males have complex calls with intermittent 'chucks'.