Giant Burrowing Frog
Heleioporus australiacus australiacus
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 5/03/2025
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 17/11/2021
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: Eastern Owl Frog
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Giant Burrowing Frog is a large, rotund, slow-moving frog. It is a powerfully built species with muscular hind limbs and enlarged areas on the feet for burrowing. The giant burrowing frog occurs in areas of native vegetation and can be found in heath, woodland and open dry sclerophyll forest on a variety of soils, except claybased soils however, the species has not been recorded from cleared land.
Threats
Quollity Conservation Hub's Overall Priority Score
59
Average life span:
> 5yrs and < 10yrs
Number of young produced each year:
501 - 1000
Number of breeding events each year:
Unknown
Minimum sexual maturity age:
2 - 3yrs
Who is helping
Useful links for more detailed information on this species
DCCEEW - Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
SPRAT - DCCEEW Species Profile and Threats Database
The main threats to the Giant Burrowing Frog include habitat loss through clearing for agricultural and urban development, hydrological changes, logging and disease (chytrid fungus).