Northern Spadefoot

Notaden melanoscaphus Hosmer 1962

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago

A medium-sized (to 5 cm) round burrowing frog. The head and mouth are small, limbs are short and the skin has a rough texture. The fingers are long and the rear feet have a sharp black shovel-shaped inner metatarsal tubercle. Very dark brown colouration with paired black patches on the head and back, sometimes bordered with red.

Breeding Biology

Breeds in temporarily flooded areas of clay or sandy soils. Males often call while floating in the water. The spawn is a large shapeless clump of over 1000 eggs. Not much known about the tadpoles, but they have 3 upper and lower tooth rows.

Habitat

Open country with sparse vegetation. Can be active on the surface at night even during warm dry weather.

Etymology

The specific name melanoscaphus refers to the black colouration of the inner metatarsal tubercle on the foot. This characteristic distinguishes it from the desert spadefoot (Notaden nichollsi) that occurs further to the west and south.

General

Like all the Notaden species, they ooze a creamy sticky unpleasant liquid when handled or threatened.

Eastern and central Kimberley. Extends east across northern NT and Queensland.

A loud 'whoop...whoop...whoop'.