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Story: Frogs

Differences between native and introduced frogs

Native Maud Island Frog

Native Maud Island Frog

Introduced Southern Bell Frog

Introduced Southern Bell Frog
 
  • Round pupil

    Horizontal pupil

  • No eardrum

    Eardrum

  • No vocal sac

    Vocal sac

  • Little or no webbing

    Webbing

  • Tail-wagging muscles

    No tail-wagging muscles

Roll over highlighted body areas for comparison

Features of the native Maud Island frog and introduced southern bell frog are highlighted to show differences between New Zealand’s native frogs and the introduced Australian species. Hochstetter’s frog is the only native species to have partial webbing between the hind toes.

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How to cite this page

Paddy Ryan, Frogs – Frogs in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/interactive/9987/differences-between-native-and-introduced-frogs (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 1 March 2009.