The mythical Sunset Frog!

. This is definitely one of the herp species would to see since before coming to Australia and last weekend’s trip down south I finally managed to find this incredible creature.
Sunset frog is a monotypic species of ground-dwelling frog endemic to a small area near Walpole, Western Australia in far south west. Only discovered relatively recently (1997) this species is considered one of the most ancient in Australia as estimated to have diverged from close relative around 30 million years ago, making of it one of the most unique animals in the whole continent, unfortunately due to habitat destruction, bushfires and limited range is classified as “vulnerable”. The habitat consist in permanent peat swamps partially protected by bushfires being costantly furnished by water from underground from where they start to call from Spring to Summer for mating.

Sunset Frog (Spicospina flammocaerulea) SW Australia, October 2024

Posted on October 17, 2024 12:50 PM by