Crinia tasmaniensis

Conservation Status

Calling Period

Description

A small species of frog reaching up to nearly 3 cm in body length. A highly variable species, it has a grey, brown or brown-orange back, with or without longitudinal stripes or patches. There is often a V-shaped patch between the eyes. The belly is white with black or grey spots, or black and white marbling, and there is often bright red on the lower half of the belly and on the under-surface of the legs. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is gold. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both without discs.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid singly in temporary pools, where they sink to the bottom of the water. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 3 cm, and are dull-gold or dark brown in colour. Tadpoles remain at the bottom of water bodies, and take three to four months to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to summer.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Crinia signifera, Crinia nimba, and Geocrinia laevis in its distribution, but these species lack bright red patches on the lower half of the belly and under-surface of the legs.