Samford’s local fauna
Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii)
The Striped Marsh Frog is arguably the most common frog species in the Samford district and is found all the way down the east coast of Australia, including northern Tasmania where it is rare. The call, which is a short loud ‘toc’ like a tennis ball being struck, is very familiar just after heavy rain at any time of year (the males often call while almost completely submerged).
The Striped Marsh Frog is a stout-bodied species that grows to about 65mm. It is generally brown or grey-brown above with dark brown stripes, one of which runs from the pointed snout through the eye to base of the arm. Below this stripe is a narrow white or yellowish fold. Most individuals have a pale stripe running the length of the back. The iris is golden above and brown below. This frog has long unwebbed fingers and long toes with just a trace of webbing. The underside is generally white, but some males have a yellowish throat with brown mottling. The skin is smooth all over. In the breeding season, adult males develop thicker muscular arms for ‘wrestling’ with their competitors.
The Striped Marsh Frog is an adaptable species that can be found in a wide range of still water from tiny fish ponds and drainage ditches to larger dams. It is said to have some tolerance of pollution and can survive immersion in swimming pools. The brown eggs are laid in a foamy mass on the surface of still water. The tadpoles are uniformly brown, can grow up to 95mm and take several months to reach metamorphosis.
If you build a garden pond, this is likely to be the first frog species to take up residence. Surround your pond with a dense barrier of Lomandras or tall sedges to keep out Cane Toads.
Article and photo: Peter Storer