Crucifix Frog, Holy Cross Frog, Notaden bennettiiimage credit: Stephen Zozaya

Crucifix Frog, Holy Cross Frog, Notaden bennettiiimage credit: AusBatPerson

Crucifix Frog, Holy Cross Frog, Notaden bennettiiimage credit: paulhypnos

Crucifix Frog, Holy Cross Frog, Notaden bennettiiimage credit: paulhypnos
Habitat: Australia
Status: Not listed

In the spirit of Easter I present to you the Crucifix Frog or Holy Cross Frog (Notaden bennettii) which is a species of burrowing frog. In order to survive in its arid habitat, it digs deep underground during the long periods without water and encases itself in a cocoon.

When it does finally rain, the frog emerges from the dirt to get its breedin’ on. The Crucifix Frog has an odd feature that helps it with this process, as well as a few others. They exude a sticky “frog glue” onto their skin when provoked but its exact purpose is uncertain. It might be used to deter predators, or to trap insects that it would later eat off of its old, shed skin (ew)! But it has definitely been documented that males will use this glue to attach themselves to females during mating. No messing around there.

Well… kind of actually, since doin’ it with glue probably isn’t all too neat.