Download App
Back to Frogs

Neobatrachus sutor

Shoemaker Frog

Conservation Status

EPBC:

Unlisted

IUCN:

Least Concern

Calling Period

Possible
Yes
Peak
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 5 cm in body length. It has a sandy-gold, bronze, or dark brown back, with dark brown spots and small patches. The belly is white. The pupil is vertical, and the iris is silver or gold. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are fully webbed, both without discs. There is also a black-edged metatarsal tubercle on the bottom of each foot: this is a shovel-shaped lump used for burrowing. The male has an unusually shaped vocal sac, which appears to divide nearly into two when inflated instead of remaining a singular round shape as in most other Australian frog species.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as clusters attached to vegetation under the surface of the water in temporary ponds, claypans, and dams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up 7 cm, and are pale gold in colour. They swim at all depths of water bodies, and take around one month to develop into frogs. Breeds during late summer to autumn after heavy rain.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Neobatrachus albipes, Neobatrachus fulvus, Neobatrachus kunapalari, Neobatrachus pelobatoides, and Neobatrachus sudellae in its distribution, but is smaller and has a different call.

Images

Photo: Stephen Mahony

Photo: Dane Trembath

Photo: Dane Trembath

Photo: Angus McNab

Photo: Jeremy Storey

Calls

By: Dale Roberts

Distribution

Found throughout inland WA, southern NT, and far northwest SA.

What is FrogID

About UsFrogID ScienceFrogID for SchoolsOur partners