Litoria caerulea

Conservation Status

Calling Period

Description

One of Australia's most iconic frog species. A large species of frog reaching up to 11 cm in body length. It has a green back, sometimes with several small white spots, particularly when young. The belly is white. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is gold. Fingers and toes are three-quarters webbed, both with large discs. Some northern populations have yellow on the fingers, toes, webbing, and undersurfaces of the arms and legs. In winter 2021, thousands of frogs were reported dead and dying across Australia. The Green Tree Frog was the most commonly reported frog species found sick and dead. The cause and impact of this upsetting event is currently being investigated, led by the Australian Museum and Australian Registry of Wildlife Health.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid in clusters that float on the surface of the water in flooded ditches and small temporary ponds. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to nearly 7 cm, and are dusky brown in colour. They swim throughout all levels of water bodies, and take at least one month to develop into frogs, although tadpoles in colder areas may take much longer. Breeds during spring and summer.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Litoria cavernicola, Litoria chloris, and Litoria splendida in its distribution. Litoria cavernicola lacks a skin fold over the side of the head; Litoria chloris has a red iris instead of gold; and Litoria splendida has big glands over the entire head and above the shoulders, as well as having white or yellow spots.