The western water-holding frog (Ranoidea occidentalis) is a species of frog that is endemic to Australia. The specific epithet occidentalis refers to its distribution in the western part of the continent.
| Western water-holding frog | |
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| Female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Ranoidea |
| Species: | R. occidentalis
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| Binomial name | |
| Ranoidea occidentalis (Anstis et al, 2016)
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| Synonyms | |
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Description
editThe species is large and robust. Males grow to about 60 mm (2.4 inches) in length (SVL) and females to 70 mm (2.8 inches). Colouration varies from grey to dark brown. The eyes are perched on top of the flat head, which has a large mouth. The limbs are short, with webbed toes. The mating call is a low waah waah waah..., uttered 80 times a minute.[1]
Behaviour
editThe species breeds in temporary water bodies, mainly in the arid zone. The frog can aestivate for months in a burrow while conditions are dry, shedding its skin to form a cocoon, until cyclonic rains fill depressions in the landscape and trigger breeding activity. The females lay large masses of up to 500 eggs.[1]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species has a wide distribution in arid and semi-arid parts of central Western Australia, southwards from Karratha to Kalgoorlie and eastwards from the west coast to the Canning Stock Route and Mavis Rock.[2]
Photos
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References
edit- ^ a b "Western Water-holding Frog". ALCOA Frog Watch. Western Australian Museum. 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ^ Darrel Frost (2021). "Ranoidea occidentalis". Amphibian Species of the World 6.1. American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
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