Slender Tree Frog

Litoria adelaidensis (Gray 1841)

Species Info Card | Updated 1 decade ago

This common frog in the south-west region generally has a uniform colour ranging from pale fawn to bright green. A bold dark stripe is present along both sides of the head and body. The back of the thigh is black with a mottling of bright yellow or red spots. The toes are webbed and the ends of fingers and toes have dilated discs. Maximum length is about 4.5 cm.

Breeding Biology

Breeding is limited to winter and early spring even though this species may be heard calling all year round. Males call from elevated perches or from the base of dense vegetation (usually sedges or bulrushes) surrounding lakes, swamps and watercourses.

Eggs are laid in small clusters and are attached to the stems of aquatic vegetation just below the surface of the water. The tadpoles are pale brown with two pale stripes on each side of the body extending from the nostril and onto the tail. They have a bluntly rounded snout, the eyes are set to the side and tail fins are very deep. There are 2 upper and 3 lower rows of labial teeth. Maximum length is 5.5 cm.

Habitat

Permanent and seasonal waters including streams, dams, wetlands and shallow soaks. Can often be seen clinging to vertical reeds and sedges.

Etymology

Named in error after Adelaide, South Australia, where this species does not occur.

General

The Slender Tree Frog is one of Australia's most distinctive tree frogs - it has no close relatives elsewhere in Australia and is found only in the south-west of Western Australia. It is probably an ancient survivor of wetter, earlier times in the history of the south-western environment.

Found from Port Gregory north of Geraldton to the south coast and eastwards to Esperance. Occurs inland as far as Mundaring Weir, Dwellingup, Harvey, Manjimup and the Stirling Ranges.

A loud single grating 'grrrk', with higher-pitched calls occasionally interjected. Choruses can be very noisy when many males call together.