Western Banjo Frog

Scientific name: Limnodynastes dorsalis

Author(s)

FrogID Team
Updated

04/02/21
Read time

2 minutes

Fast Facts

IUCN Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN (LC)
Classification

Genus

Limnodynastes

Species

dorsalis
Size Range

7.5 cm in body length

Description

A large species of frog reaching up to nearly 7.5 cm in body length. It has a light brown back with darker patches, and a distinct thin, cream-coloured longitudinal stripe along the middle. There is a dark brown stripe from the tip of the snout to the arm. The belly is white or pale yellow. The pupil is nearly round and the iris is gold-brown. The sides are sometimes white with black marbling. The groin and back of the thighs have bright red patches. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are slightly webbed, both without discs.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Heleioporus albopunctatus, Heleioporus barycragus, Heleioporus eyrei, Heleioporus inornatus, and Heleioporus psammophilus in its distribution, but all of these species lack the distinct thin, cream-coloured longitudinal stripe along the middle of the back as present in Limnodynastes dorsalis.

Distribution

Found in southwest WA.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as a foamy mass on the surface of ponds, swamps, dams, and creek pools. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 9 cm and are brown in colour, with dull gold mottling. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies. It is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs. Breeds during winter to spring.