The Bilingual Froglet male’s call has two parts, hence its scientific name. It can be a high-pitched rattle or clicking sound with a musical quality. Photo: Jodi Rowley / Australian Museum
The Western Water-holding Frog is found inland and on the coast in central west WA. Its eggs are laid as large clusters under the surface of the water in flooded claypans and temporary pools. Photo: Stephen Mahoney / Australian Museum
The Giant Burrowing Frog is one of the Museum’s top wanted frog species this year. It is found from the Central Coast of NSW, south to north eastern VIC, extending inland to the ranges. It has declined due to habitat clearing for housing developments. Photo: Stephen Mahoney / Australian Museum
The Northern Banjo Frog is found from northern NSW to far northern QLD along the coast and inland past the ranges. Its eggs are laid as a foamy mass on the surface of ponds, dams, swamps, roadside ditches, and creek pools. Photo: Jodi Rowley / Australian Museum
The New England Tree Frog is high on this year's list, too. It is found only in the ranges of far northeast NSW, and just over the border to southeast QLD - where it is listed as vulnerable. Photo: Jodi Rowley / Australian Museum
The Red-crowned Toadlet is found only in the Sydney Basin in NSW where it has declined due to habitat clearing for housing development, especially as it is restricted to Hawkesbury sandstone areas. Photo: Jodi Rowley / Australian Museum
Dr Jodi Rowley capturing frog sounds. She says we have so much more to understand about these amazing animals, but that we can only do this with help from people across Australia. Photo: Australian Musuem
The Australian Museum’s FrogID Week is on again – this year, you can get involved to help understand the impact of summer bushfires and drought on our fragile frog population from.
Now in its third year, FrogID is designed to collect audio recordings of frog calls across the nation – at a moment in time – to monitor frog populations and help save Australia’s threatened frog species.
So far, FrogID has identified more than 240,000 frog calls, and 199 of the known 242 Australian frog species. During FrogID Week last year, Australians recorded over 5400 frogs from 71 species.
UNSW researcher Dr Jodi Rowley, Lead Scientist of FrogID and the Curator of Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum, says calls recorded to date by people all around the country are helping scientists better understand how to keep our frogs safe.
“We need the help of people all around the nation to gather audio of frogs in city parks, suburban backyards, regional properties, remote locations – everywhere!” said Dr Rowley.
“This year, the data is absolutely vital in helping us understand how frogs adapt to climate change and weather patterns like drought and the bushfires we have experienced over the last year.
“Get outside, listen for frogs and send us their calls – it’s simple to do and you’ll be helping to save Australia’s frogs.”
When you hear a frog, simply record the sound with the FrogID app and submit it to the FrogID program. Find out more at www.frogid.net.au.