White-lipped Tree Frog
(Litoria infrafrenata)
Facts
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IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)
Facts about this animal
The white-lipped tree frog is the largest tree frog on earth, averaging about 11 centimeters, and reaching a maximum length of 14 centimeters. It is bright green or brown on the dorsal surface with an intense white stripe covering its lover lip and extending back below the tympanum to the base of the forelimb. A second white strip runs along the hind legs, which may turn pink in the breeding male. The colour may change depending upon the temperature and background, but also upon the mood, and can even be brown. The ventral surface of the frog is white and the skin on the underside and sides can become quite lumpy and granular.
However, the throat and rest of the body is very smooth. Toe and finger discs are large, and the fingers are at least half-webbed. The white-lipped tree frog is particularly active on warm and humid nights. During the day they find cool, dark, and moist areas to sleep. The mating call of the white-lipped tree frog resembles the barking of a large dog. Breeding occurs in spring and summer in ponds and other shallow water bodies. During amplexus, the female deposits 200 to 400 whitish eggs in clumps and tadpoles develop in about 8 weeks. Giant tree frogs possess vomerine teeth. They prey upon a wide variety of insects.
Did you know?
The eyes are golden and have horizontal irises, typical of the Litoria genus. Horizontal irises which can be opened wide allow an excellent eye sight in the dark at night. They are also a characteristic of other nocturnal animals like cats or geckoes. This phenomenon is called convergence.
| Factsheet | |
|---|---|
| Class | AMPHIBIA |
| Order | ANURA |
| Suborder | NEOBATRACHIA |
| Family | HYLIDAE |
| Name (Scientific) | Litoria infrafrenata |
| Name (English) | White-lipped Tree Frog |
| Name (French) | Rainette géante |
| Name (German) | Riesenlaubfrosch |
| Name (Spanish) | Rana gigante arborícola |
| CITES Status | Not listed |
| CMS Status | Not listed |
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Bignoter
Distribution
| Distribution | |
|---|---|
| Range | Australia; Indonesia; Papua New Guinea; Solomon Islands; Timor-Leste |
| Habitat | Wide variety of habitats including rainforest, heathland swamps, wet sclerophyll forests, teatree swamps and mangroves, cultivated and suburban habitats below 1200m. Giant tree frogs can frequently be found in or around human structures, such as houses, sheds, or garages. |
| Wild population | Apparently locally common, but substantiated information on populations is lacking. An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is >50000 individuals. Although there are no known declines, it can be assumed that the loss of habitat through logging constitutes a threat. |
In the Zoo
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How this animal should be transported
For air transport, Container Note 45 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.
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