What animal was nearly depicted in chocolate instead of the Freddo Frog?

Trivia type
Trove trivia

A mouse.

Did you also know that Crunchie and Cherry Ripe were released before the Freddo?

The Freddo Frog was introduced in 1930 by MacRobertson’s Steam Confectionery Works, a company that was eventually sold to Cadbury in the late 1960’s.

But every frog has its day, and it was decided that it would have broader appeal over a mouse.

A newspaper ad for MacRobertson's Freddo Chocolate Frogs. The line reads, 'I'm a delightful biteful.'
'Advertising', The Australian Women's Weekly, 14 November 1939, nla.obj-509009892

One topic of great debate is who came up with the idea for the popular product: Leslie Atinkson (Inventor of the Cherry Ripe) or Harry Ernest Melbourne (18-year-old staff member at MacRobertson’s). Find out more about the origins with the Cadbury webpage through the web archive.

Can you figure out the answer?