What kind of frogs were Gastric-brooding Frogs?

Gastric-brooding frogs, also known as platypus frogs, lived in the rainforest streams of eastern Australia.

They were relatively small frogs, measuring about 5 cm in length, and were aquatic, with well-developed webbed hind feet and a flattened body.

Their coloration was gray or brown, with mottled patterns that helped them blend in with their surroundings.

Why did Gastric-brooding Frogs raise their young in their stomachs?

Female gastric-brooding frogs, after laying their eggs, would swallow them!

The eggs would hatch inside the mother's stomach, and the tadpoles would develop within this unusual nursery.

During this time, the mother's stomach would cease its digestive activity, and the tadpoles would receive nourishment from a special fluid secreted within the stomach.

After about 6 weeks, when the tadpoles had metamorphosed into small frogs, the mother would regurgitate them, releasing them into the outside world.

This remarkable breeding method is thought to have evolved as a strategy to protect the eggs from predators.

What did Gastric-brooding Frogs eat?

Gastric-brooding frogs were carnivorous, feeding on aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish.

They were ambush predators, waiting patiently on the streambed for prey to approach before quickly darting out to capture them.

Why did Gastric-brooding Frogs become extinct?

Gastric-brooding frogs experienced a rapid decline in population beginning in the late 1970s and disappeared from the wild by the mid-1980s.

The exact cause of their extinction remains unclear, but it is believed to be a combination of factors, including habitat loss, pollution, and the spread of chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide.

The extinction of the gastric-brooding frog serves as a stark reminder of the importance of biodiversity and the need for conservation efforts to protect vulnerable species.