Story: Frogs

Male native frog brooding eggs

Male native frog brooding eggs

Native frog females lay a small number of large eggs in a damp, covered site. As seen here, the males of three of the species (Archey’s, Maud Island and Hamilton’s frogs) guard the eggs continuously while a tadpole grows inside the egg (nourished by the yolk). This then hatches as a well-formed froglet with a tail. In contrast, Hochstetter’s frogs leave the eggs unguarded near flowing water, and the young hatch at a slightly earlier stage of development.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10034449
Photograph by Steve Pilkington

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How to cite this page:

Paddy Ryan, 'Frogs - Frogs in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9986/male-native-frog-brooding-eggs (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 24 Sep 2007