Corroboree frog is a small black and yellow frog found only in a small area of southeastern Australia. The ground-dwelling frog lives on mountain slopes, usually above 3,000 feet (900 meters) of elevation. It reaches about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long. There are two species (kinds).
The corroboree frog lives in woodlands and grassy areas on mountains, except during the breeding season. It eats ants and other invertebrates (animals without backbones). The corroboree frog makes substances in its skin that taste bad to animals that try to eat it. These substances may even be poisonous. The skin of the frogs has complex patterns of yellow and black. Scientists believe these patterns serve as warning coloration. The patterns warn other animals that the frog is dangerous to eat.
The corroboree frog becomes sexually mature at 3 to 4 years of age. It reproduces around ponds and shallow bodies of water. A female produces 16 to 38 eggs, during the rainy season. She lays the eggs in a nest on the ground. The eggs hatch when the nest is flooded by rain water. The tadpoles develop for several months before their metamorphosis (transformation) into adult frogs.
Both species of corroboree frog are endangered. They are vulnerable in part because they live in such a small area. In addition, many other Australian amphibians also have declined in numbers. Scientists are not certain what has caused these declines. But climate change, fungal diseases, and habitat destruction are thought to have played major roles.
