Frog of the Week

Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera)

Common Eastern Froglet
photo by wikiuser Retama

Common Name: Common Eastern Froglet, Eastern Brown Froglet, or Common Froglet
Scientific Name: Crinia signifera
Family: Myobatrachidae – Australian Ground Frog family
Locations: Australia and Tasmania
Size: 1.2 inches (3 cm)

The Common Eastern Froglet lives in southeastern Australia and all over Tasmania. It is one of the most common frogs found there, hence the name. The frog breeds all year long besides the peak of summer when it is too hot to mate. Males call out from a variety of water sources such as streams, ponds, ditches, and dams. Once the female arrives, the male grasps her from behind in amplexus. Then, the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them. Females lay between 100 – 150 eggs. Neither parent provides any care for their offspring. The tadpoles take between 2 to 3 months to complete their metamorphosis.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessed the Common Eastern Froglet as Least Concern for Extinction. This is due to the froglet having a wide range, presumed large population, and being able to tolerate habitat disturbances.

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