Little Red Tree Frog

Litoria rubella (Gray 1842)

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago


A small short-headed and robustly built frog with short legs. The dorsal surface ranges from light to very dark brown with a deep reddish hue with dark lines on either side of the head. The fingers are short but bear conspicuous discs and are webbed at the base. The toes are 3/4 webbed. Males 3.5 cm and females to 4.5 cm.

Breeding Biology

Breeds in the wet season in the Kimberley and in response to local rainfall in the Pilbara and the arid zone.

Habitat

This species can be reliably found around most sources of water in arid regions such as waterholes, gorges, rocky areas and are often found around human structures such as cattle troughs, homesteads and dunnies.

Etymology

rubella means 'red' in reference to the usual colouration, although individuals can also be grey or brown.

General

This common species is often encountered by people in shower blocks in caravan parks in the outback and tropical regions.

Distribution map for Little Red Tree Frog

Kimberley and Pilbara regions and extending through the arid zone. One of the most widely distributed Australian frogs - they occur across the northern two-thirds of Australia and are also in New Guinea.

A long harsh loud screech, similar to the screech of seagulls.