Also known as the Pobblebonk, Sand Frog or Bullfrog, this large ornate burrowing frog grows to 75mm for males and 85mm for females. It gets its specific name ‘dorsalis’ from the prominent yellow line that runs down its back from nose to rump. The rest of its back, although variable, is generally coloured grey or green with irregular dark brown patches. There are large glands on the upper side of the calves of the hind legs, with a reddish to bright red colouration on the groin and a pale white or yellowish smooth underside.

The Western Banjo Frog breeds in winter from July to August when eggs are laid under a foamy mass hidden beneath overhanging vegetation. Tadpoles grow up to 8cm long and are dark brown to almost black, with a dark blue tinged underside.

During winter the males call out from beneath overhanging vegetation with a single loud ‘bonk’ that is repeated at intervals and answered by other nearby males. These calls can be heard from over a long distance.

The range of the Western Banjo Frog is quite vast, ranging from south and west of a line from Kalbarri to Cape Arid, east of Esperance. They are most abundant in the wetlands of the Swan Coastal Plain. Their diet includes insects and worms but they will eat almost anything they can capture.

Note: When handling frogs please always wet and sterilise your hand first or wear gloves to avoid passing chemicals across to the frog which may kill it. Care should also be taken since human skin is highly absorbent and some frogs (such as cane toads) also have poisons that they secrete from glands under their skin.

Scientific name: Limnodynastes dorsalis (J.E. Gray, 1841)