Rain Whistling Frog

Scientific name: Austrochaperina pluvialis

Alternative name/s:
Rain Frog

Author(s)

FrogID Team
Updated

04/02/21
Read time

2 minutes

Fast Facts

IUCN Conservation Status

LEAST CONCERN (LC)
Classification

Genus

Austrochaperina

Species

pluvialis

Family

Microhylidae

Order

Anura

Subclass

Lissamphibia

Class

Amphibia

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Phylum

Chordata

Kingdom

Animalia
Size Range

3 cm

Description

A small species of frog reaching up to 3 cm in body length. It has a brown or grey back. There is a white stripe from the tip of the snout that borders the upper eyelid, with a dark brown stripe underneath that extends to the side and sometimes covers the side of the head. The belly is clear yellow, orange, or brown, with darker specks; the male has a brown or grey throat. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is dark brown or orange-brown, outlined with a red ring. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both without discs.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Austrochaperina fryi and Austrochaperina robusta in its distribution, but has a different call and eye colour.

Distribution

Found in the Wet Tropics region of QLD.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as one small cluster on land in a hidden area of moist leaf litter and the nest is guarded by the male, as it is with other Austrochaperina species. Tadpoles never swim in water; instead they develop inside the egg and may hatch as little frogs. It is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to summer in the wet season.