Eastern Banjo Frog

Did You Know?

There is so much variation in colour, size and call, that scientists have grouped this species into five subspecies
The females have special flaps of skin on their fingers which are used to carry air bubbles from the surface of the water into the foam nest containing the eggs

This frog goes by several common names: Eastern Banjo Frog, Eastern Pobblebonk Frog and Southern Bullfrog. The first two are based on its distinctive 'bonk' call which sounds similar to the string of a banjo being plucked.

Its back ranges from grey, to olive-green, dark brown or black, with dark marbling or flecks. It has a pale yellow stripe running from under its eye to its arm, a dark band above this, and may also have a pale stripe running down its back. Its sides commonly have a purple or bronze sheen, mottled with black. Its belly is white and sometimes mottled with grey. Its back is warty and rough but its belly is smooth.

Distinctive feature

A prominent gland on the outer side of its hind leg (its shin) and a fleshy lump at the base of each hind foot.

Size

5 - 8.5 cm

Behaviour

Call

Males call when in water and concealed by floating vegetation, or less commonly from the water’s edge. When one frog starts to call, others will often join in. Their call is a single “bonk” or “plonk” and is usually repeated every few seconds. Some individuals will produce a rapid series of “bonk-bonk-bonk”.

Listen to the Eastern Banjo Frog call © Nature Sounds/David Stewart

Diet

Small invertebrates, for example flies and other small insects.

Movement

During dry periods it burrows into the ground and waits for rain, after which it emerges to feed and breed.

Breeding

Males call to attract females from August though to April, most intensely after heavy rain. Females lay their eggs in a floating foam of bubbles (often attached to and concealed in vegetation) in the still waters of swamps, streams, dams and ponds.

Field Guide

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Downloads

Eastern Banjo Frog call/David Stewart, NatureSound

What to Observe

Calling
Courting/Mating
The appearance of eggs

When and Where

When To Look

From August through to April (breeding season)
Listen for males calling at night, particularly after rain

Where To Look

In south-eastern Australia, including southern Queensland, eastern and southern New South Wales, south-eastern South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania
In a wide range of habitats near still water, including woodlands, rainforests, farmlands and grasslands, but not in alpine areas or extremely arid zones
Common in urban areas around garden ponds

What Else?

Similar Species

Northern Banjo Frog/Northern Bullfrog (Limnodynastes terraereginae) has red colouration around its groin.
Giant Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes interioris) has a bright orange or yellow belly with no mottling.
Common Spadefoot Toad (Neobatrachus sudelli) doesn’t have the gland on the outer side of its hind legs.
Giant Burrowing Frog (Heleioporus australiacus) doesn’t have the gland on the outer side of its hind legs.
Mallee Spadefoot Toad (Neobatrachus pictus) doesn’t have the gland on the outer side of its hind legs.