Green Tree Frog

Green Tree Frog, Litoria caerulea

Where do they live?
Green Tree Frogs are among the most widespread of Australia's amphibians, found in all states of Australia except Victoria and Tasmania.

What is their habitat?
Green Tree Frogs can be found in dry forests, woodlands and grasslands near streams or swamps. You may see one of these creatures on your window at night or even inside your house, eating insects drawn by the light. This is because these frogs are a highly adaptable species and are often found in urban backyards, in letterboxes, bathrooms and even toilets.

What’s special about them?
Their skin secretes antibacterial and antiviral properties that one day may prove useful in medicine. Several peptides from these secretions have been shown to destroy the HIV virus, for example.

What do they eat?
Green Tree Frogs are often found sitting beneath outside lights at night catching insects that are attracted to the light, but they are also capable of taking larger prey on the ground, including mice. They have also been recorded catching bats around cave entrances.

How do they reproduce?
This species typically breeds from November to February and males can usually be heard calling near water or even downpipes. Females lay up to 2000 eggs on jelly mats which float on the surface of still water, then sink to the bottom. It takes about six weeks for a small frog to develop.

What else do I need to know?
Green Tree Frogs are dark olive to bright green in colour but that can change depending on temperature, humidity, lighting and even their mood. The sides and sometimes the back have a scattering of white spots or flecks. The belly is white. The iris is golden and the pupil is horizontal. The fingers are partially webbed, the toes are webbed and the toe discs are large. Green Tree Frogs are a common pet species as they are long-lived. They are among the largest Australian frogs, growing up to 10 centimetres.

Where do they fit in the tree of life?
Species: Litoria
Genus: caerulea
Family: Hylidae
Order: Anura
SubClass: Lissamphibia
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Phylum: Chordata
Kingdom: Animalia

What is their conservation status?
Green Tree Frogs have an IUCN listing of Least Concern.
In Australia they are not listed.