Water-holding frogs

Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa is home to four species of frog that have adapted to desert life.

Known as water-holding frogs, these hardy amphibians bury themselves deep in the sand where the temperature is constant. They have tiny spade-like structures under their feet to help them dig.

When the rain is heavy enough to soak down to where they have burrowed, the frogs know that the waterholes and creeks are full. That’s when they emerge to breed, often in huge numbers.

After breeding they bloat themselves full of water before burying themselves in the sand again.

Frogs are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever is available, including ants, termites, beetles, flies, spiders, grasshoppers and moths.

In extremely dry times, Aṉangu would dig up these frogs and squeeze the water out of them for a drink.