Green Tree Frog

Litoria caerulea (White 1790)

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago

A very large bright green tree frog with a robust broad body and short limbs. The fingers and toes have very large expanded discs on the ends and the toes are fully webbed. A pair of large partoid glands extend back from the eye on to the shoulders. Males can reach sizes of 8 cm and females over 11 cm.

Breeding Biology

Mating takes place from November to March during the wet season. Males call from the ground when females are likely to be breeding, but call perched in trees during other times.

Habitat

Shelters in tree hollows and rock crevices and is common around human habitation, especially shower blocks and dunnies.

Etymology

caerulea means 'blue', the colour of specimens preserved in alcohol which dissolves the yellow pigment in the skin. The original describer would have examined an older specimen preserved in alcohol.

General

Green Tree Frogs will wipe a waxy secretion over themselves to conserve moisture loss during the day. They also tuck in the limbs and lower the chin to minimise their surface area. The Green Tree Frog is the most popular frog in the international pet trade market owing to its large size, beautiful green colouration, placid disposition and hardiness in captivity.

Kimberley region. Also extends east and south through northern NT, Queensland and NSW. Also in PNG.

A deep loud bark repeated frequently. Males will often call in the daytime in response to showers falling during the wet season.