White's Tree Frogs
Basic Information:
Scientific Name:Litoria caerulea
Habitat: Native to Australia and southern New Guinea
Diet: Mainly insects or other invertebrates. May rarely eat other small amphibians or rodents.
Size: 4 to 5 inches in length (Females are slightly larger)
Weight: Average is 1.8 ounces
Lifespan: Average is 16 years in captivity
Distribution Map:
I.U.C.N. Conservation Status:
What does this mean?
Least Concern – a species determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (I.U.C.N.) to be pervasive, abundant, and thriving.
Our White’s Tree Frogs:
Lima – Estimated Jan 1, 2022
Pinto – Estimated Jan 1, 2022
Fava – Estimated Jan 1, 2021
Garbanzo – Estimated Jan 1, 2022
About White’s Tree Frogs:
White’s tree frogs are a relatively large species of frog that range in color from a brown or grayish green, to an emerald green. Like other tree frogs, they are usually found in trees and not around water. The large sticky cling pads on their toes and webbed feet help them to stick to most surfaces, while their strong leg muscles help them to jump from branch to branch and tree to tree.
While they are better off in tropical humid environments where their skin can stay moist, White’s tree frogs are also found seasonally in dryer environments. They will cover themselves in a thick mucus to hold moisture while they hide away in a safe place until the wet season returns.
White’s Tree Frogs Fun Facts!
- White’s tree frogs go by a few different names. These names include the Australian green tree frog, the green tree frog (in Australia), or the dumpy tree frog!
- Unlike most other tree frogs, White’s tree frogs have horizontal pupils instead of vertical ones!
- Scientists and medical researchers have used White’s tree frogs to create pharmaceuticals, due to the fact that their skin secretions have antibacterial/antiviral properties!
- Frogs are commonly used as “ecosystem indicators” by ecologists. Since frogs have very sensitive skin that assists with breathing, they are commonly seen decreasing in population faster than other animals when an ecosystem starts having issues.
