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.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Neobatrachus pictus
Gazetted date:
08 Aug 1997
Profile last updated:
01 Dec 2017
Description
The Painted Burrowing Frog (also called the Mallee Spadefoot Toad) is a large burrowing frog, 46 to 58 mm in length. Head and body is grey, light brown or yellow with dark brown or olive green patches and a thin, light yellowish vertebral stripe. The underside of the body is smooth and white. The eye is particularly prominent and has a vertical pupil and the tympanum (eardrum) is not visible. Limbs are short. Fingers are cylindrical and unwebbed, whereas the toes are fully webbed, with a black shovel-shaped lump on the undersurface, used for burrowing. Animals are distinguished from the more widespread Common Spadefoot Toad/Sudell’s Frog (N. sudelli) by the lack of baggy skin around the groin, although identification is difficult and is best confirmed by chromosomal analysis. The call is a long and musical trill.
Distribution
This species is widespread in south eastern South Australia and western Victoria but has been found at only two locations in NSW. These are Scotia Sanctuary, adjacent to the South Australian border and in an area to the west of Pooncarie. To date, less than 30 individuals have been found in NSW, though this number is possibly an under-estimation based on the difficulty of identification and also limited access to suitable habitat following rainfall events when the animals are active.
Habitat and ecology
- Animals can occur in open grassland, mallee, woodland, farmland and cleared areas and are usually found in or around flooded areas after periods of heavy rainfall, including grassy marshes, lagoons, flooded claypans, temporary roadside pools, ditches, mallee swales and farm dams.
- Animals burrow beneath the soil surface during periods of water shortage and emerge only after heavy rains to breed.
- They most likely use leaf litter, fallen logs and ground cover vegetation as shelter whilst above ground.
- Breeding can occur in summer, autumn or winter and males call whilst floating in still water.
- Diet is not well known but probably consists of a wide variety of invertebrates. Tadpoles are also suspected to feed on large dead insects and plant matter.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Altered flooding regimes (timing, frequency and extent of flooding) may prevent the emergence and breeding activities of this species.
- Soil compaction from machinery and domestic stock and other activities that may disturb soil.
- Loss of leaf litter, fallen timber, bark and other ground cover.
- Pollution of water bodies from farming and industrial chemicals.
- Predation of tadpoles by exotic fish species and predation of adults by foxes and feral cats may be a threat.
- Possible infection and death from water borne pathogens such as Chytrid Fungus.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Control of vertebrate pest populations, e.g. foxes, cats and exotic fish, which either prey on, or compete against this species for resources.
- Prevent the spread or introduction of exotic fish.
- No further alterations to natural flooding regimes and conserve natural local flooding patterns.
- Prevent chemicals from entering waterbodies and other areas that fill during heavy rains.
- Retain fallen logs, leaf litter and other ground cover for shelter and habitat.
- Control grazing of wetland regions.
Information sources
- Anstis, M. (2002) Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia: a guide with keys. (Reed New Holland, Frenchs Forest)
- 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 (2000) Painted Burrowing Frog (Neobatrachus pictus) Recovery Plan, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hurstville NSW.
- NSW Scientific Committee (1997) Painted burrowing frog. Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Predavec, M., and Dickman C. R. (1993) Ecology of desert frogs: a study from south-western Queensland. pp. 159-169, Herpetology in Australia: a diverse discipline. Ed. by D. Lunney and D. Ayers. Transactions of the Royal Zoological Society of New South
- Robinson, M. (1995) A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia: from Port Augusta to Fraser Island including Tasmania. (Reed Books, Chatswood)
- Swan, M. and Watharow, S. (2005) Snakes, Lizards and Frogs of the Victorian Mallee. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
- Tyler, M.J. and Williams, C.R. (1996) Mass frog mortality at two locations in South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 120, 179.
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