Smooth Toadlet

Scientific name: Uperoleia laevigata

Updated

21/04/22
Read time

2 minutes

Fast Facts

Classification

Genus

Uperoleia

Species

laevigata

Family

Myobatrachidae

Order

Anura

Subclass

Lissamphibia

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Phylum

Chordata

Kingdom

Animalia
Size Range

3.2 cm

Description

A small species of frog reaching up to 3 cm in body length. It has a dark or light brown back, with darker patches. There is a pale triangular patch on the head, and a dark, horizontal bar between the eyes. The tops of the arms at the shoulder are pale yellow or brown. The belly is pale pink-white with white specks; the male has a black throat. The pupil is nearly round, and the iris is gold. The groin and the backs of the thighs are bright red. Fingers and toes are unwebbed, both without discs. The parotoid glands are large and brown.

Similar Species

Looks very similar in its distribution to Uperoleia fusca, which has a different colour on the under-surface of the thighs; to Uperoleia rugosa, which is smaller and has a different call; and to Uperoleia tyleri which has a different belly colour. Uperoleia laevigata also look similar to Uperoleia martini, but has a different distribution and belly colour.

Distribution

Found along the east coast and ranges, from southern NSW and the ACT to southeast QLD.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid singly on vegetation under the surface of the water in permanent ponds. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 4.5 cm, and are gold or brown, with black mottling. They often remain on the bottom of water bodies, and take around three to four months to develop into frogs. Breeds during any time of the year after rain.