Cophixalus kulakula


Kutini Boulder Frog

Distribution

Distribution map for Cophixalus kulakula
Found only around the Mt Tozer area, in the Cape York region of QLD.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Least Concern

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Jodi Rowley

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to nearly 5 cm in body length. It has a grey, pale brown or dark brown back, sometimes with pale eye-spots on the lower back. There is a dark brown stripe from the tip of the snout to behind the eye. The belly is light grey and the male has two white longitudinal tube-like structures visible under the skin. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is gold in the upper half and dark brown in the lower half. The groin and back of the thighs are bright red-orange. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both with large discs.

Habitats

Occurs in boulder fields in rainforest.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid on land as a small cluster under boulders. The nest is guarded by the male, as it is with other Cophixalus species. Tadpoles never swim in water; instead they develop entirely inside the egg and hatch as little frogs. It is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs, but Cophixalus ornatus eggs have been recorded taking 28 days to hatch. Breeds during summer after rain.

Similar Species

Does not look similar to any other species in its distribution.