Shoemaker Frog

Neobatrachus sutor Main 1957

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago

A moderate-sized rotund and short-legged frog with a high, rounded snout and prominent eyes. The back is brilliant gold or bright yellow with irregular patches of brown; populations further east have reddish hue. The toes are extensively webbed and the inner metatarsal tubercle sharply keeled. Maximum length is about 5 cm.

Breeding Biology

An 'explosive' summer breeder - males and females gather in large numbers at breeding pools after summer thunderstorms. As with many arid-adapted frogs, breeding may be confined to just a few big rain events each year.

Eggs are laid in static water in clay pans, and the tadpole stage takes about 40 days.

Habitat

Usually found on clay or loamy soils in the arid zone.

Etymology

The name sutor refers to 'cobbler' or 'shoemaker', as the call resembles the sound of a small hammer repairing a shoe.

Wheatbelt and arid zone from Exmouth south to Wooramel River and the mid-west interior from Jiggalong south to Lake King. West to Mullewa and Mingenew. Extends to north-west SA and southern NT.

The call is a short repetitive tapping; hence the name Shoemaker frog.