Leiopelma waitomoensis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leiopelma waitomoensis Temporal range: Late Holocene
Conservation status
Extinct  (yes) (NZ TCS)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Leiopelmatidae
Genus:	Leiopelma
Species:	†L. waitomoensis
Binomial name
†Leiopelma waitomoensis Worthy, 1987
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The Waitomo frog (Leiopelma waitomoensis) was a large, extinct frog from New Zealand. It belonged to the Leiopelma group, which includes New Zealand's native frogs. Sadly, this unique frog is no longer alive today.

Meet the Waitomo Frog

The Waitomo frog was a very special type of frog. It was much bigger than other frogs that lived in New Zealand. Scientists believe it disappeared about 1000 years ago.

Where Did It Live?

This amazing frog lived only on the North Island of New Zealand. Its bones and other remains were found in a cave. This cave was located near a place called Waitomo. Finding its remains in a cave suggests it might have lived in or around caves.

A Giant Among Frogs

The Waitomo frog was quite special because of its size. It was a very big and strong frog. It grew to about 100 millimeters long. This is about twice the size of any other native New Zealand frog. Imagine a frog as long as your hand! It was also much heavier than other native frogs.

Why Did It Disappear?

The Waitomo frog became extinct, meaning it completely died out. Scientists believe this happened sometime in the last 1000 years. The exact reasons for its disappearance are not fully known. However, many native animals in New Zealand faced challenges when humans arrived.

Who Discovered It?

The first time scientists learned about the Waitomo frog was in 1987. A scientist named Trevor H. Worthy described it. He also described two other extinct New Zealand frogs at the same time. These were the Aurora frog and Markham's frog.