Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Frog Watch in Quairading

After a bit of wet weather recently, a couple of sharp-eyed residents from Quairading sent these pictures of a frog to the Shire's Environmental Officer earlier this month, concerned that it may have been an invasive Cane Toad.
 

 
 
Luckily it was identified as a Western Banjo, or Pobblebonk, Frog (Limnodynastes dorsalis) from the pale 'dorsal' line down the frogs back. These frog are most common in permanent and temporary water including farm dams, swamps, wetlands and streams, but can also be found in backyards across the entire south-west.


From Frog Watch Website




Western Banjo Frogs and Cane Toads  are commonly confused with each other, so if you see someting similar and you are not sure what it is, take a photo and/or report it to your local authorities so they can help with an identififaction. Your vigilance could make a difference.

In comparison, the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) is much larger, more warty and does not have a pale 'dorsal' line down its back.

G Millen © Australian Museum
H Ehmann ©  Australian Museum

The distribution of the Cane Toad is still being resolved in Australia - the map below shows past, current and predicted range across the nation.

Distribution map for Cane Toads in Australia - note SW WA prediction

An awareness of what Cane Toads look like is one of the biggest assets our community has in the fight against this tropical invader. Although WA is almost Cane Toad free, there is a large potential for this invasive species to impact on our biological and agricultural values.

So, hats-off to the couple from Quairading who wanted to be sure their frog was not a Cane Toad - a little bit of effort can go a long way!
For more info on Wheatbelt frogs you may want to visit the Frog Watch website.

For more info Cane Toads you may want to visit the Toad Busters website.

Email info@wheatbeltnrm.org.au if you want any additional information.