General Description

Pale raised stripe from below the eye to above the base of the front leg. Blackish stripe that passes through the eye. Large lump on the back legs (called the tibial gland). Grey or brown above with blackish markings of marbling, blotches or flecks. Sides of thighs mottled black and blue. Whitish belly which is often mottled with grey, throat sometimes yellow. Back either smooth or with small round warts. Only very small amount of toe webbing. Body length up to 8 cm. Call a series of "bonks" sounding similar to the plucking of banjo strings.

Biology

Banjo Frogs burrow in the soil and are sometimes found when people dig in their backyard. Their eggs form a large, white, floating raft in still water. Males mainly call from spring to autumn (September to March). Calling is particularly intense after heavy rainfall.

Distribution

South-eastern Australia, from south-eastern South Australia through Victoria and eastern New South Wales to south-eastern Queensland.

Habitat

Heaths and sclerophyll forests, woodland, farmland. Frogs breed in dams, ponds, stream pools and other permanent waterbodies.

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