Neobatrachus pictus Peters, 1863

Species Identification and Size

The painted burrowing frog (Neobatrachus pictus Peters, 1863) is a moderately sized, plump frog that grows to a maximum length of 55 mm.

Dorsal Coloration

Its dorsal surface ranges from grey to yellow, marked with brown, olive, or green patches, and it sometimes has a thin, pale stripe running down its back.

Ventral Coloration

The frog's belly is white.

Foot and Burrowing Structure

Its rear toes are partially webbed, and the metatarsal tubercles—shovel-shaped structures on the heel of the foot that help with burrowing—are completely black.

Eye Features

When contracted, the pupil forms a vertical slit, and the iris ranges in color from silver to gold.

Habitat and Range

Painted burrowing frogs live in waterholes, dams, or pools along watercourses, found in woodland, grassland, and cleared areas.

Male Breeding Call

After heavy rain, mostly in autumn and winter, males produce an elongated trilling call while floating in water.

Burrowing Adaptation

Like other species in the genus Neobatrachus, this species is adapted for burrowing and often spends extended periods underground to survive drought.

Egg Characteristics

Its eggs are laid in loosely adherent clumps that may break apart.

Tadpole Size

Tadpoles are large, reaching around 78 mm in length at approximately developmental stage 35.

Development Timeline

Development takes 4 to 7 months, and newly metamorphosed individuals are most often seen between September and November.

Anti-Predator Behavior

When threatened, this species will sometimes rear up on all legs and inflate its body to look larger, which discourages some predators.

Conservation Status

It is an uncommon species threatened by habitat loss, and it is classified as endangered in New South Wales.