Australian ground frogs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Myobatrachidae |
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| The Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera) | |
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Myobatrachidae
Schlegel, 1850
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| Distribution of Myobatrachidae (in black) | |
The Myobatrachidae are a family of frogs that live in Australia and New Guinea. These frogs come in many different sizes. Some are very tiny, less than 1.5 centimeters (about half an inch) long. But this family also includes the second-largest frog in Australia, the Giant Barred Frog, which can grow up to 12 centimeters (about 4.7 inches) long!
These frogs live either on land or in the water. You won't find any of them living in trees. Unlike many tree frogs, Myobatrachidae frogs do not have sticky pads on their toes. These pads help tree frogs climb.
Scientists divide this frog family into three main groups, called subfamilies. These groups are Limnodynastinae, Myobatrachinae, and Rheobatrachinae. They are separated mostly by how they lay their eggs.
Frog Families and Their Eggs
Frogs in the Limnodynastinae subfamily lay their eggs in a special foam nest. The female frog makes this foam using a chemical from her skin. This foam nest can float on top of the water or be placed on land. It helps protect the eggs.
The Rheobatrachinae subfamily is very unique. It includes two species of frogs known as "gastric-brooding frogs." This means the mother frog actually swallowed her eggs and kept them safe in her stomach until they hatched! Sadly, both of these amazing species are now extinct.
All the other frogs in the Myobatrachidae family belong to the Myobatrachinae subfamily. They have different ways of laying eggs compared to the other two groups.
Meet Some Myobatrachidae Frogs
This large family includes many interesting types of frogs.
- Tusked Frogs (Adelotus) are part of the Limnodynastinae group. They have special "tusks" that are actually bony growths on their lower jaw.
- Giant Burrowing Frogs (Heleioporus) are also in the Limnodynastinae subfamily. They are strong diggers and spend much of their lives underground.
- Australian Froglets (Crinia) are a common type of frog in the Myobatrachinae subfamily. The Common Eastern Froglet (Crinia signifera) is shown in the picture at the top of this page.
- Barred Frogs (Mixophyes) are larger frogs from the Myobatrachinae group. They often have stripes or "bars" on their bodies.
- Turtle Frogs (Myobatrachus) are very unusual. They are round and have small heads, looking a bit like a turtle. They are also from the Myobatrachinae subfamily.
These are just a few examples of the many different kinds of frogs found in the Myobatrachidae family. Each group has its own special features and ways of living.
See also
In Spanish: Ranitas australianas para niños
