Common Name: Northern Barred Frog
Scientific Name: Mixophyes schevilli
Family: Myobatrachidae – Australian Ground Frog family
Location: Australia – Queensland
Female Size: 2.7 – 3.6 inches (68 – 92 mm)
Male Size: 2.3 – 3.0 inches (58 – 75 mm)
The Northern Barred Frog lives in the leaf litter in rain forests and wet sclerophyll forests in northeast Australia. The barred part of its name comes from the dark lines on the hind legs. They are brown in color, varying from reddish brown to dark brown.
The Northern Barred Frog breeding season lasts from spring through summer (October to April). The male frogs call out to attract the female frogs to mate. Once the female frog arrives and selects the mate, the male frog grabs the female from behind in amplexus. Then, the female frog lays her eggs and the male frog fertilizes them. Then, the female frog kicks the eggs onto the banks of streams where they stick. One count of an egg mass showed 74 eggs inside. Once the eggs hatch, the tadpoles fall into the water below.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Northern Barred Frog as Least Concern for Extinction. They have a decent sized range that has protected areas within it. The frog’s population is also believed to be large and stable.