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Crucifix Frog

Pipidae Frogs

CRUCIFIX FROG

Calls like "Whoo"

In New South Wales and Queensland of Australia lives a frog called the Crucifix frog. The most significant feature of this frog is found on its back. It is a cross- shaped mark with an outer margin of large black dots and filled with red and black dots. The presence of the cross and toad like appearance give the frog another name, ‘holy cross toad’.

The frog is small and round bodied with a bright yellow back and a white belly. The male frog grows to a size of 6.3cms (2.5 inches). The female is slightly larger than the male.

The frog is a burrowing form spending most of its time beneath the soil. It is a specialist in digging burrows using its forelegs (other burrowing frogs dig with their hind legs). It puts its head first into the burrow. To make this convenient, its snout is well protected by a pad of dead insensitive tissue. The frog’s ears called the tympanum are hidden in the skin of the head so that sand particles will not damage the delicate ears while digging. The legs are short suited for a burrowing animal.

The frog lives most of its time in the burrows feeding on black ants. To help catch the insects, its skin secretes glue like substance. Insects stick to this glue. The frog sheds its skin and feeds on the insects leisurely.

The glue has become a special topic of study by the scientists because of its exceptional quality. It is non- toxic and is functional even during wet conditions. The protein nature of this glue seems to offer wide options in medical practice. The glue has become famous for this reason and is termed “frog’s glue”.

The holy cross toad’s skin is also special for its ability to conserve water. During dry months, the frog burrows deep into the ground and builds a case or a cocoon around itself. Layers of dead skin that are shed and added form the case. With more layers added the case becomes thicker and protects the frog from the heat and water loss.

With the onset of rains, the frog comes out of the burrow. It begins to breed in temporary ponds. The male frog calls like an owl with a ‘whoop’ sound to attract the females. Eggs hatch quickly and the tadpoles develop very fast before the ponds go dry.

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