Class:
Amphibia
Order:
Anura
Scientific Name:
Litoria caerulea
Range:
Northern and eastern Australia; islands in the Torres Straits; introduced to New Guinea and New Zealand
Habitat:
Arboreal, trees, shrubs - follows human habitation and can be found in houses, lavatories, water tanks, drain pipes
Diet:
Wild: Insects, small rodents, bats, locusts, roaches, crickets
Zoo: Crickets, occasionally pinkie mice, bone meal
Gestation:
Incubation: 28-36 hours for eggs. Tadpoles metamorphose in about 4 weeks
Litter:
Clutch Size: 200 - 2000 eggs
Life Span:
Average 10 or more years (16 in captivity)
Description:
One of the largest tree frogs. Females can grow to a length of 4 inches, males are smaller. Color is bright green above, often with scattered white spots on the sides and occasionally on the back. Often have irregular white stripe or a series of white spots from the angle of the mouth to the base of the forearm. The ventral surface is white. 'Caerulea' means blue and although most of the live frogs are green, preserved specimens are blue. Captive specimens kept in low light also may lose their green pigment and become blue-green or blue. They have a pectoral fold. The fingers are about 1/3 webbed with the second finger longer than the first. The toes are approximately 3/4 webbed. They have 'suction-cup' toes which allow them to climb even glass. The animal resembles a plump 'frog buddha.' They have a supratympanic ridge that varies in size with the amount of glandular (toad-like glands) development. In obese specimens this ridge can completely cover the eyes. Vomerine teeth are present.
Behavior: Although most active during wetter part of the year the animals are considered drought tolerant. During the dry season their activity is crepuscular. The call is a deep 'wark-wark-wark.'
Reproduction: Sexual maturity is achieved by the second year. They breed during the summer months in grassy, rain filled meadows. Eggs are laid in still water from November to February.
Did You Know?
- Also known as the Australian Green Tree Frog.
- Threats to survival are prolonged drought. Natural predators are kingfishers and night herons.
Where in the Zoo?
I can be found in the following locations at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo:
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