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Scientific Name: Litoria caerulea Range: Northern Australia Habitat: A wide variety, including coastal and tropical environments; they have also adapted to dry environments Average Size: Length: 3 to 4 inches (8 to 14 cm) Description: White’s tree frog is considered large for a tree frog. Their skin is almost perfectly smooth on top and a little warty on the bottom. The soft, but intense, pale green or brown color is so shiny that it gives the appearance of enamel. Underneath they are pale beige or white, like the toe and finger pads. As in all tree frogs, these pads are wide and sticky. Their fingers are about one-third webbed while the toes are nearly three-quarters webbed. The second finger is longer than the first. A groove runs down their backs. Their noses are slightly pointed. Toxic glands are found throughout their skin and are also bunched together to form large glands above the ear. Diet: In the wild: A variety of insects, but they prefer moths and crickets. They will eat small animals if they catch them In the zoo: Crickets, wax worms, and newborn mice Population Status: Not Threatened Behavior White’s tree frog is a large and powerfully built amphibian. They are one of the 21 species found in the continent of Australia and the most commonly seen. They are not only found in a variety of natural habitats, but also are found living in man-made outhouses, rain water tanks, and flower vases. White’s tree frog is active during the day and at night. They sleep in hollow limbs and like to bask in the sun. They produce a thick, sticky mucous on the skin that may help prevent dehydration. This mucous also gives their toes an adhesive quality. As with all frogs, they have a true voice. During the dry season, they may be heard calling during the day. They will climb up the trunks of trees and call with a deep “walk-walk-walk.” Their voice is a harsh grunt, somewhat like the bark of a dog. If disturbed, they may protest with a loud scream. Three weeks after hatching, tadpoles begin to develop legs. Then in another one to two weeks, they develop into frogs. The young frogs eat voraciously and may grow up to two inches within three months. Females can produce eggs several times during the breeding season. Reproduction and Breeding Breeding season is in the summer. They will lay large numbers of eggs (200-300) in the open water. Hatching occurs within 24 hours! Amazing Facts Tree frogs have sticky pads on their fingers and toes to help them climb on slippery leaves! In Australia, White’s tree frogs often share people’s bathrooms! Many frogs and toads have sticky tongues, which they can flick out to catch prey! White’ s Tree Frog Litoria caerulea Amphibian The Sacramento Zoological Society 2 2 8 5 9 A C , o t n e m a r c a S , . r D k r a P d n a L t s e W 0 3 9 3 saczoo.org T: 916-808-5888 F: 916-264-7385 E: [email protected]

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Page 1: White’s Tree Frog - Sacramento Zoo › wp-content › uploads › 2016 › 12 › Whites...Many frogs and toads have sticky tongues, which they can ﬂick out to catch prey! White

Scientific Name:Litoria caerulea

Range:Northern Australia

Habitat:A wide variety, including coastal and tropical environments; they have also adapted to dry environments

Average Size:Length: 3 to 4 inches (8 to 14 cm)

Description:White’s tree frog is considered large for a tree frog. Their skin is almost perfectly smooth on top and a little warty on the bottom. The soft, but intense, pale green or brown color is so shiny that it gives the appearance of enamel. Underneath they are pale beige or white, like the toe and finger pads. As in all tree frogs, these pads are wide and sticky. Their fingers are about one-third webbed while the toes are nearly three-quarters webbed. The second finger is longer than the first. A groove runs down their backs. Their noses are slightly pointed. Toxic glands are found throughout their skin and are also bunched together to form large glands above the ear.

Diet:In the wild: A variety of insects, but they prefer moths and crickets. They will eat small animals if they catch them

In the zoo: Crickets, wax worms, and newborn mice

Population Status:Not Threatened

BehaviorWhite’s tree frog is a large and powerfully built amphibian. They are one of the 21 species found in the continent of Australia and the most commonly seen. They are not only found in a variety of natural habitats, but also are found living in man-made outhouses, rain water tanks, and flower vases.

White’s tree frog is active during the day and at night. They sleep in hollow limbs and like to bask in the sun. They produce a thick, sticky mucous on the skin that may help prevent dehydration. This mucous also gives their toes an adhesive quality.

As with all frogs, they have a true voice. During the dry season, they may be heard calling during the day. They will climb up the trunks of trees and call with a deep “walk-walk-walk.” Their voice is a harsh grunt, somewhat like the bark of a dog. If disturbed, they may protest with a loud scream.

Three weeks after hatching, tadpoles begin to develop legs. Then in another one to two weeks, they develop into frogs. The young frogs eat voraciously and may grow up to two inches within three months. Females can produce eggs several times during the breeding season.

Reproduction and BreedingBreeding season is in the summer. They will lay large numbers of eggs (200-300) in the open water. Hatching occurs within 24 hours!

Amazing FactsTree frogs have sticky pads on their fingers and toes to help them climb on slippery leaves!

In Australia, White’s tree frogs often share people’s bathrooms!

Many frogs and toads have sticky tongues, which they can flick out to catch prey!

White’s Tree FrogLitoria caerulea

Amphibian

The Sacramento Zoological Society22859 AC ,otnemarcaS ,.rD kraP dnaL tseW 0393

saczoo.orgT: 916-808-5888 F: 916-264-7385 E: [email protected]