Water-holding Frog

Water-holding Frog (Cyclorana platycephala). Near Mt Magnet, Western Australia. This species is specially adapted to live in Australian desert regions. Most of their year is spent underground as they burrow into soil to protect themselves from the heat. While underground they form an external virtually waterproof cocoon. This is made from accumulated sloughed skin (that is normally eaten). This reduces water loss to rates comparable to surface dwelling lizards. They absorb large quantities of water through the skin and store it in their bladder and other tissues where it is reabsorbed later. They are found in a broad band across the centre of Australia roughly coinciding with the desert regions

Restrictions Not for Australia

Cyclorana

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