Ecology and Behaviour
This species inhabits sandstone heathland, dry, and also wet sclerophyll forest from north of Sydney to eastern Victoria. They are called burrowing frogs because of their burrowing ability. They are also known as the Eastern Owl Frog because of their mating call, which resembles the hooting of an owl. Males call from burrows on the edges of streams during autumn and spring after heavy rainfall. Eggs are laid in burrows on the shores of creeks and streams, to be washed into the water during heavy rainfall. The tadpoles develop in the creek and take 3–11 months. The tadpoles are very large in size, up to 80mm.
This is quite a large species of frog and the largest frog in Victoria. It is often mistaken for Cane Toads because of its large size of 9 to 10 cm and bumpy skin. However cane toads do not have vertical iris and the range of the cane toad currently does not overlap into Giant Burrowing Frog habitat.
These frogs can be seen sitting out on the edges of roads and walking tracks at night, after rain in areas of favourable habitat. This species has decline due to urbanisation and is mostly restricted to National Parks and State Forests.
Read more about this topic: Giant Burrowing Frog
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