Fauna
Amphibian

Hamilton's Frog

Leiopelma hamiltoni

Also known as Stephens Island Frog

Hamilton's frog is an ancient terrestrial amphibian that survives in tiny, boulder-strewn habitat patches on New Zealand islands. Lacking vocal sacs or external eardrums, these quiet frogs do not croak, instead communicating primarily through chemical cues and subtle touch. Females lay eggs on damp ground, and after hatching, tiny froglets ride on their father's back until they complete their development into independent adults.

NocturnalRareEndemic
Hamilton's Frog reference1 / 6
(c) Mark Anderson, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Mark Anderson · cc-by-sa
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySpringtails, Mites, Beetles
Predators
  • Tuatara
  • Morepork
  • Kingfisher
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, introduced predators, chytrid fungus, climate change
HabitatsRocky scree slopes, damp coastal forest, boulder fields
Life spanUp to 30 years
Classification
  1. FamilyLeiopelmatidae
  2. SpeciesLeiopelma hamiltoni
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
What to notice
Look for a small brownish, web-less frog hiding under damp rocks or leaf litter at night.
Support conservation
Do not touch or move individuals, and refrain from turning over rocks in protected sanctuary areas.
Responsible observation
  • Habitat Protection: Avoid moving rocks or clearing boulder fields in restricted reserve areas.
  • Biosecurity Precautions: Clean footwear thoroughly to prevent spreading chytrid fungus between delicate island habitats.
Related species
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