Northern Corroboree Frog

Corroboree Frogs have a restricted distribution to high altitude areas, where they breed in waterlogged areas such as sphagnum moss bogs during summer, and spend winter in the surrounding woodland. There are two closely related species of Corroboree Frog:

• Northern Corroboree Frogs (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) occur in the Brindabella and Bimberi Ranges in the ACT and nearby areas of NSW;
• Southern Corroboree Frogs (Pseudophryne corroboree) occur in the Snowy Mountains of NSW.

Adult Corroboree Frogs are only 2 to 3 centimetres long, have distinctive black, yellow and white markings on their backs, and are recognised by their short ‘squelch’ calls.

Both species of Corroboree Frog suffered severe declines in numbers during the 1980’s and numbers continue to dwindle. Both species are listed as threatened nationally and in each State/Territory where they occur. The decline in numbers is part of a worldwide decline in frog numbers believed to be due largely to disease caused by the introduced Chytrid fungus. Drought may have also exacerbated the situation for Corroboree Frogs.

Between January and early March, females lay approximately 25 eggs, a small number compared to most frog species. In contrast, Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) can lay around 20,000 eggs. The eggs are laid out of water in sphagnum moss or other damp vegetation next to a pool. The eggs develop slowly over autumn to an advanced tadpole stage, which then hatch when pool levels rise from heavy rain or snow melt and flood the nest. After several weeks of feeding and growing in the cool clear pools, the tadpoles metamorphose into juvenile frogs during spring or summer.

There are estimated to be less than 50 Northern Corroboree Frogs remaining in the wild in the ACT. Most of the ACT’s Northern Corroboree Frog habitats were severely burnt in the 2003 bushfires, though these areas are recovering well and the few remaining Corroboree Frogs are using these areas to breed.

Recovery efforts include a captive breeding program at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, where ecologsts and wildlife officers are breeding Northern Corroboree Frogs in a biosecure facility (to keep out Chytrid fungus) for reintroduction back to the wild.