Which Australian frog can survive dry periods by forming a waterproof cocoon underground?

The water-holding frog is the Australian frog that can survive dry periods by forming a waterproof cocoon underground.

The water-holding frog lives in arid parts of central Australia, where rain may be unpredictable and surface water can disappear quickly. During dry conditions, it burrows into the soil and sheds layers of skin that form a cocoon around its body. The cocoon reduces water loss while the frog remains dormant underground.

The frog can stay sealed in this state for long periods, sometimes several years, until substantial rain arrives. When water reaches its habitat, it emerges, feeds, mates, and reproduces rapidly. Tadpoles develop in temporary pools, so timing is essential: the aquatic stage must be completed before the water evaporates.

The species is also called the desert tree frog, although it is not restricted to trees. Its survival strategy is an example of aestivation, a dormant state associated with heat or drought, rather than hibernation caused by cold.