A report of a Hochstetter’s frog (pepeketua) on the Purerua Peninsula caused a stir recently, as these endangered native frogs have not been found in the area for some time.
Hochstetter’s frog enthusiast Andree Hickey joined the Pest Free Purerua crew and Mid North Kiwi Coast Coordinator Andrew Mentor to follow up on the report and see what could be found.
Unfortunately, despite six hours of carefully searching rocky wet streamsides, under rocks, boulders and logs, the frogs eluded the searchers.
Andrew said “Despite not finding any frogs, it was great to work together in the hope that these tiny frogs might be found. They are nocturnal, semi-aquatic and like damp shady undisturbed streamsides. Unlike exotic frogs, our native frogs do not croak – so we hoped to find one quietly napping under a rock as they are known to do. The Purerua Peninsula is identified by the NZ Herpetological Society on their map of Hochsetter’s frog distribution as a ‘potential’ area, close to a known historical site. So we have every hope they might still be hiding out here!
Hochstetter’s frogs faces similar threats to our other native wildlife such as habitat destruction and predation from cats, rats, hedgehogs and possums as well as the risk of disease from the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus. With well cared-for waterways and the Pest Free Purerua – Mataroa project in full swing, the peninsula provides an ideal habitat for these frogs and it would be fantastic to confirm their presence.”
Hochstetter’s frogs are dark brown, grow up to 48 mm long, have partially webbed feet and have small warts over their back. If you spot one, note the location, take a photo and report it to Kiwi Coast or the Department of Conservation.
