These large frogs reach up to 100mm in length and can be variable in colour and patterning. Adult frogs range from grey to dull pink and green or more commonly brownish on their backs while the skin on their belly skin is white and finely grained. A dark brown streak starts from the tip of their snout and runs across their tympanum or ear and ends over their shoulder.

A similarly coloured bar runs under their eye and another runs the length of their upper jaw. The back of their thighs range from flesh-coloured to dark blue and their groin is a pale blue-green colour. Their rear toes have a small amount of webbing and front toes are free from webbing.

Giant frogs are common in and around gardens over the wet season, basking beside breeding spots or soaking in flooded areas. The males make a short ‘unk’ sound and can be heard calling from November through to February. Female frogs lay their eggs in clumps that will sink not long after being laid. Tadpoles are pale brown or dull grey and can get up to almost 7cm in length.

Many people get giant frogs confused with the introduced cane toad and great care must be taken when collecting toads in your garden. Cane toads have a heavy brow ridge, warty skin and large poison-filled glands just behind their head. They are often seen sitting in an upright position and usually move with a distinctive low hop. Always make sure to identify your frogs properly as there are many like the giant frog that can be mistaken for cane toads easily in the dark or when they are small.

There are many threats to frog populations around the world. Let’s make sure that cane toad collection from around our garden is not one of them. Brush up on your frog identification this wet season and if you do decide to collect cane toads from around your garden please remember that like all animals cane toads feel pain and fear. Make sure you dispose of them humanely by putting them in a container in the fridge for an hour until they cool down and go to sleep and then into the freezer overnight.