Northern snapping frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern snapping frog |
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The northern snapping frog is a fascinating amphibian from northern Australia. It's also known by several other names, like the giant frog or Australian water-holding frog. Its scientific name is Ranoidea australis.
This frog lives across a wide area. You can find it in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and all the way to Queensland.
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About the Northern Snapping Frog
The northern snapping frog is quite special. It has adapted to live in places with both wet and dry seasons. This frog is known for its ability to survive long dry periods.
Where It Lives
This frog prefers open areas. It lives in grasslands and forests where the trees are not too close together. These habitats often have temporary pools of water.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
When the rainy season arrives, the northern snapping frog becomes very active. It comes out from its underground home to find food. This is also when it reproduces.
The female frog lays many eggs in temporary bodies of water. She can lay up to 7,000 eggs at one time! These eggs hatch into tadpoles. The tadpoles grow very quickly. They need to change into frogs before the water dries up. This usually takes about 30 to 50 days. These tough tadpoles can even survive in water that is as hot as 43 degrees Celsius.
Surviving the Dry Season
When the weather turns dry, the northern snapping frog is very clever. It digs a burrow deep underground. It stays in this burrow, waiting for the next rainy season. This helps it survive when there isn't much water around.
