Neobatrachus pictus

Conservation Status

Calling Period

Description

A large species of frog reaching up to 6.5 cm in body length. It has a yellow-brown or grey back, with darker brown patches and a pale yellow or cream-coloured longitudinal stripe along the middle. The belly is white. The pupil is vertical, and the iris is bronze in the upper half and silver in the lower half. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are nearly fully webbed, both without discs. There is also a large metatarsal tubercle on the bottom of each foot: this is a shovel-shaped lump used for burrowing.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as loose clusters near the surface of the water in temporary ponds, swamps, and dams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to nearly 8 cm, and are grey, gold, or gold-brown in colour. They swim at all depths of water bodies, and take around five to seven months to develop into frogs. Breeds during late summer to spring after heavy rain.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Neobatrachus sudellae in its distribution, but is larger and has a different call.