Crucifix Frog , Holy Cross Toad Notaden bennettii
What do they look like ? They are chubby frogs with short limbs and grow to about 50 mm long . They are yellow with a pebbled cross of black , red and white spots on the back , and a white belly . They have a distinctly down-turned mouth , giving them a ‘ grumpy ’ appearance .
Where do they live ? They live in woodlands on sandy soils that hold water and are seasonally inundated . Areas with clay pans are also favoured .
What do they need to live , eat and breed ? Crucifix Frogs spend most of their lives inactive , as much as one metre underground . During periods of high rainfall , they emerge to feed on ants and termites and to breed , laying their eggs on the surface of temporary swamps , billabongs and inundated clay pans . As this habitat dries , they burrow back into the soil .
When might I see ( or hear ) them ? Crucifix Frogs are easily detected by their calls – on warm humid nights , particularly after summer rains their rising owl-like ‘ wooo ’ can carry for kilometres . They sometimes feed around lights on homestead lawns .
What management actions affect this species ? Changing water flow ( damming or draining wetlands ) is likely to cause declines , as is soil compaction around wetlands through cattle congregation . Digging out low-lying areas for dams and clearing over storey trees and ground cover will reduce water retention and infiltration thus reducing breeding habitat . Pigs are likely to kill the frogs and destroy their habitat so controlling these pests may help Crucifix Frogs . Maintaining native grasses and minimising disturbance to temporary flooding areas is probably the best way to encourage these frogs .
How do they benefit the land I manage ? Burrows made by soil fauna like these frogs aerate and mix soil and are important for nutrient flow and water infiltration . As one of many animals that feed on ants and termites , especially at times when these insects are breeding , they help to control insect numbers and return nutrients back to the soil .
Similar species : Northern Spadefoot Frog ( Notaden melanoscaphus ), Ornate Burrowing Frog ( Limnodynastes ornatus ).
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