The Unusual Case of Cannibalism Among Green and Golden Bell Frogs

One night on Kooragang Island, north of Sydney, Australia, the tranquility was shattered by high-pitched shrieks. John Gould, an ecologist at the University of Newcastle, was drawn to the chilling sounds as he conducted research on the declining population of green and golden bell frogs.

In a pond he was surveying, a disturbing sight unfolded before him. A large female frog was seen devouring the hind leg of a male frog, slowly dragging him into a hole. “The male frog was desperately trying to resist,” Dr. Gould recalled.

This act of cannibalism, a rare occurrence between adult frogs of the same species, intrigued Dr. Gould. He speculates that when a female green and golden bell frog is dissatisfied with a male’s mating call, she may resort to making a meal out of him.

“The females are like ultimate predators for the males,” Dr. Gould explained, pointing out that their acute hearing allows them to discern the quality of the males’ calls.

While cannibalism is not uncommon among amphibians, it typically involves younger individuals. For instance, tadpoles of various species may consume smaller tadpoles as a means of gaining an advantage in their competitive environment.

Dr. Gould’s observation sheds new light on the complex dynamics within the green and golden bell frog population, revealing a darker side to the interactions between males and females of this species.