Giant barred frog

The giant barred frog is a fascinating species native to Australia, ranging from southeastern Queensland to just south of Newcastle in New South Wales. These frogs inhabit wet sclerophyll forests and rainforests, always near flowing streams and creeks, whether in coastal areas or mountainous regions.

As Australia's second-largest frog species, the giant barred frog can grow up to approximately 120mm. They exhibit a dark brown back with darker spots, a golden upper iris, and a distinctive dark stripe running from their snout to their eye. Their legs are marked with strong bars, and their toes are fully webbed. The frog's underbelly is white, while the thighs and sides are pale yellow adorned with dark spots.

These frogs are invariably found near water, typically in permanent flowing creeks and occasionally in dams within their wet forest habitats. Their call is a deep grunting noise, with males usually vocalizing during spring and summer near the edges of streams following rain.

In terms of reproduction, females have a unique method: during amplexus, they kick their eggs onto overhanging banks or rocks. Heavy rains can wash the eggs into the water, or the tadpoles may fall into the water about 8-10 days after being laid. These tadpoles can grow quite large, reaching up to 84mm, making them some of the largest tadpoles in Australia.