The Doctor Frog

Art done by tortoiseman on reddit

Doctor frogs (genus medicusranae) are descendants of Australian Green Tree Frogs and are found in Australia and Antarctica. These frogs are found in grasslands and forests. These frogs play an important role in the ecosystem by taking care of other animals and preventing deadly disease outbreaks.

Biology

Doctor frogs measure at 4 inches with tadpoles that measure at 1 inch at full development. The characteristic dumpy appearance of their ancestors is still retained due to water stores being needed for hibernating during the darker months where they bury themselves underground in mucus cocoons to retain heat.

Tadpoles have a diet consisting of mostly of dead skin and parasites off of larger animals as well as anything else they can find. As adults, the frogs eat insects and other small invertebrates.

The adults produce a disease resistant secretion just like their ancestors but this secretion is way stronger and is taken advantage of by both the frog and other animals.

The frogs mating season is in the spring and the female lays a few hundred eggs in small ponds  and swamps.

Behavior and Symbiosis

Doctor frogs are solitary but will tolerate another frog that comes near it. Whenever it interacts with another frog it communicates through a number of different low pitched croaks. When in danger it will let out a loud high pitched croak to try and scare off predators.

Predators aren't something that the doctor frog has to worry about though. The doctor frog has a symbiotic relationships with larger animals around its area. The frog will climb on the animal and blend in due to its brownish-black coloration. The larger animal will use the frog's secretions to protect wounds from infection, the large animal will also use the frog to eat pests and parasites that bother it. In return the frog will get free food and protection. In rare occasions the larger animal will eat the frog in the case if starvation or dehydration.