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.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Department of Conservation
Reference:
10034449
Photograph by Steve Pilkington
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