About Ranoidea novaehollandiae (Steindachner, 1867)
Ranoidea novaehollandiae, commonly called the New Holland frog, is a large frog species that reaches a maximum body size of 100 mm. Its dorsal colouration is most often pale grey, brown, or yellowish, and it occasionally has darker irregular blotches. The belly is white, and the throat has a speckled pattern. A distinct dark stripe extends from the snout, through the tympanum, and down to the shoulder, and a dark band typically runs from below the eye down to the mouth. The thighs are blue, and the toes are slightly webbed. This species is found on black-soil plains and flood plains near rivers, and it also occupies dams, ditches, and claypans located in woodland and grassland habitats. As a burrowing species, it survives dry conditions by spending long periods of time underground. After heavy rain falls in spring, summer, or early autumn, the frogs become highly active. Males produce a deep "waah" call from within or beside bodies of water. Females lay eggs in non-foamy clumps in shallow water, with each clump holding up to 1000 eggs; an individual female lays an average of 4906 eggs total. Egg clumps float when first laid, and sink later. The tadpoles of this species are large, reaching 95–100 mm in length, with a rotund body shape and golden brown colour. The tadpole stage lasts 4 to 6 weeks, and newly metamorphosed juveniles measure 35–40 mm. Juvenile New Holland frogs resemble adult individuals, though they may be bright green in colour.
