Green Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Litoria caerulea
Size: Total Length 10 cm
What does it look like?
Green Tree Frog colouration varies, although is typically light to dark green, but can be brown or completely blue. Some individuals are a solid colour, while others show varying amounts of white flecks and blotches. The back is smooth, without bumps or protrusions.
Where is it found?
Found from NSW to WA.
What are its habitats & habits?
The Green Tree Frog is found in grassland, forests, deserts and can thrive in urban environments. They seek out water bodies, both natural and artificial, including roadside ditches and dams as well as ephemeral pools beside rivers, streams and creeks. Feeds on invertebrates, smaller frogs but has also been recorded eating small snakes, geckos and bats.
Males call mainly between spring and early autumn from inside hollow logs, downpipes and the ground near the edge of the water body, particularly just before or after rain. The call is a deep, resonating ‘brawwk’. Spawn is a series of large clumps that float on the surface but occasionally are attached to emergent vegetation. A single spawning can vary greatly, usually laying about 2500 eggs in a clutch. Tadpoles can take 6 weeks to complete metamorphosis.
Interesting facts
The scientific name of this species was derived from its appearance during the preservation stage. The yellow pigment in the skin had broken down, leaving the specimen bright blue. The scientist who described this species had not seen a live specimen, and gave the name caerulea, which means blue in Latin.
Alternate Names: White’s or Dumpy Tree Frog
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Frogs of Australia
