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9:38pm December 4, 2014

rhamphotheca:

The Turtle Frog: The frog that looks like a turtle

This reptile-like amphibian is unusual in more ways than one

Endemic to Perth in Western Australia, its range extending between Geraldton and the Fitzgerald River, the 5cm turtle frog (Myobatrachus gouldii) is found in sandy soils wherever there are termites to eat and burrowing to be done.

Turtle frogs aren’t like most burrowing frogs from arid regions; rather than using its hind legs to ease itself backwards into an underground hideout, the turtle frog uses its clawed and muscular front legs to dig headfirst into the sand. And it won’t stop till it’s about at least a metre down.

If it’s a female turtle frog, once she gets down there, she’ll be able to lay a clutch of firm, round eggs, sometimes up to 50 of them at a time. And here’s where the species really sets itself apart from many of its peers - the offspring will totally skip the tadpole part of growing up and transition straight from egg to fairly-well-developed tiny frog baby…

(read more: Australian Geographic)

photograph by Brendan Schembri/Flickr

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