The short-footed frog (''Ranoidea brevipes'') is a small, burrowing species of

frog A frog is any member of a diverse and largely Carnivore, carnivorous group of short-bodied, tailless amphibians composing the order (biology), order Anura (ανοὐρά, literally ''without tail'' in Ancient Greek). The oldest fossil "proto-f ...

native to eastern

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

, Australia.

Description

The short-footed frog is a small, rotund frog with comparatively large head and eyes. The dorsal surface varies from dull brown to sandy yellow, and has large dark, blotches. The ventral surface is white with dark markings. Most frogs have a silvery, brown stripe along the centre of their back. A dark band extends from the front of the snout, through the eyes, and tympanum and finishing at the shoulder. The tympanum is visible; the fingers are unwebbed, and the toes partially webbed.

Ecology and behaviour

The short-footed frog habits dry forest and grassland, where it burrows underground for most of the year. During times of rain, the frogs will emerge from their burrows, and congregate around flooded clay pans. The males will call from the edge of the water; the call is a drawn out growl. The eggs are laid in large clumps within the water. The tadpoles develop quickly in warm water to avoid it drying before

metamorphosis Metamorphosis is a biological process by which an animal physically develops including birth or hatching, involving a conspicuous and relatively abrupt change in the animal's body structure through cell growth and differentiation. Some inse ...

References

* * * {{Taxonbar, from1=Q2276939, from2=Q27903875, from3=Q27903886 Cyclorana Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians described in 1871 Frogs of Australia Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters