Tusked Frog
Adelotus brevis
Silhouette: Dmitry Bogdanov (vectorized by T. Michael Keesey) · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAmphibia (Amphibians)
- OrderAnura (Frogs and Toads)
- FamilyLimnodynastidae (Foam-nesting Ground Frogs)
- GenusAdelotus (Tusked Frogs)
- SpeciesAdelotus brevis (Tusked Frog)
About the Tusked Frog
The tusked frog (Adelotus brevis) is a species of ground-dwelling frog native to eastern Australia from Eungella National Park, Queensland south to Ourimbah, New South Wales. It is the only species in the genus Adelotus - adelotus meaning "unseen" and brevis meaning "short".
The tusked frog is a unique frog within Australia, as it is the only species where the female is smaller than male. Males can reach a maximum length of about 5 centimetres (2.0 in), while females reach 4 centimetres (1.6 in). The common name of "tusked frog" derives from the small protrusions on the lower jaw, similar in position to tusks, which can reach about 5 millimetres (0.20 in) in length in males (only visible when the mouth is open).
The pair of bony tusks are modified teeth that protrude from the middle of the lower jaw and fit into special grooves on the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. They are slightly curved and sharply pointed, and are present in both males and females, although they are larger in males.
Males have been observed 'locking jaws' with each other, in a similar way to male deer locking antlers in the struggle to exert dominance over each other. Male tusked frogs have... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Tusked Frog in Springbrook National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Springbrook National Park
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Limnodynastes peronii
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Ranoidea pearsoniana
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Rhinella marina
Peron's Tree Frog
Litoria peronii
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Assa darlingtoni
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Ranoidea caerulea
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Mixophyes fleayi
Verreaux's Tree Frog
Litoria verreauxii
Broad-palmed Frog
Litoria latopalmata
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Tusked Frog in Springbrook National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Tusked Frog sighting in Springbrook National Park, based on 15 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Tusked Frog in Springbrook National Park?
November has the highest sighting rate for Tusked Frog in Springbrook National Park in our monthly data.