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Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
(
click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Pseudophryne corroboree
Gazetted date:
04 Dec 2009
Profile last updated:
09 May 2025
Description
The Southern Corroboree Frog has bright yellow longitudinal stripes alternating with black stripes on its back, and has black, yellow and white blotches underneath. Adults reach a length of 2.5 - 3 cm. The call is a short "squelch". The tadpoles are dark brown to black and begin to show the characteristic patterning at later stages as the legs develop.
Distribution
The Southern Corroboree Frog is limited to sphagnum bogs of the northern Snowy Mountains, in a strip from the Maragle Range in the north-west, through Mt Jagungal to Smiggin Holes in the south. Its range is entirely within Kosciuszko National Park.
Habitat and ecology
- Summer breeding habitat is pools and seepages in sphagnum bogs, wet tussock grasslands and wet heath.
- Feed primarily on small black ants and other invertebrates.
- Males move into the breeding sites in summer and call during January and February from covered depressions or mossy chambers at the edges of pools.
- Females visit calling males briefly, and lay 20 - 30 large eggs in a terrestrial nest.
- Males leave the eggs in late summer or early autumn to return to the over-wintering habitat.
- The embryos develop to an advanced stage within the egg and hatch following substantial autumn or winter rain.
- Tadpoles overwinter in the pools, feed and grow slowly through spring as the water warms and metamorphose in early summer.
- Outside the breeding season adults move away from the bogs into the surrounding heath and snowgum woodland to overwinter under litter, logs and dense groundcover.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Damage to breeding sites by feral pigs and horses.
- Disease - chytrid fungus.
- Climate change.
- High risk of extinction due to very small population size.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Undertake off-site rearing of tadpoles and frogs to increase survivorship and provide stock for re-introductions.
- Protect breeding sites from damage by pigs and horses.
Information sources
- Barker J., Grigg G. and Tyler M.J. (1995) A Field Guide to Australian frogs. (Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney)
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) Approved Recovery Plan for the Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudomys corroboree). NSW NPWS, Hurstville NSW.
- NSW Scientific Committee (1996) Southern corroboree frog - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Robinson, M. (1993) A Field Guide to the Frogs of Australia. Reed Books, Sydney.
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