Distribution and Habitat

Country distribution from AmphibiaWeb's database: Australia

View distribution map in BerkeleyMapper.

Southern Kimberley region of Western Australia and through the southern section of Northern Territory into western Queensland. The extent of occurrence of the species is approximately 1249600 km2

Life History, Abundance, Activity, and Special Behaviors
Open country with sparse vegetation on impervious or clay soils. Spends most of its time under ground and only comes to the surface to feed and breed after heavy rains, but has been found under dry conditions also. It has been found buried up to 1m underground. Breeds after heavy rain in desert claypans that become filled with water. Males call whilst floating in water. Spawn containing up to 1000 eggs is laid in jelly chains enmeshed in submerged vegetation. Tadpoles are quick to develop taking just over 2 weeks to metamorphose.

Trends and Threats
No known declines and extent of occurrence > 20,000km2.

Threats
None known.

Conservation Measures
None in place.

References

Barker, J., Grigg, G. C., and Tyler, M. J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty and Sons, New South Wales.

Cogger, H.G. (1992). Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. Reed Books, New South Wales.

Predavec, M. and Dickman, C.R. (1993). ''Ecology of desert frogs: a study from southwestern Queensland.'' Herpetology in Australia,

Tyler, M.J., Smith, L.A., and Johnstone, R.E. (1994). Frogs of Western Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth.

Species Account Citation: AmphibiaWeb 2008 Notaden nichollsi: Desert Spadefoot Toad <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/3538> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Dec 23, 2024.

Citation: AmphibiaWeb. 2024. <https://amphibiaweb.org> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed 23 Dec 2024.

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