White-lipped tree frog
| White-lipped tree frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)[1] | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. infrafrenata |
Binomial name | |
Litoria infrafrenata Günther, 1867[2][3] | |
The white-lipped tree frog (Litoria infrafrenata), also known as the giant tree frog, is the world's largest tree frog (the Cuban tree frog reaches a similar maximum size).
Contents
1 Description
2 Ecology and behaviour
3 As a pet
4 References
5 External links
Description
The white-lipped tree frog reaches 11–14 cm (4.3–5.5 in) in length.[4] Females are larger than males. Its dorsal surface is usually bright green, although the colour changes depending on the temperature and background, and can be brown. The ventral surface is off-white. The lower lip has a distinctive white stripe (giving this species its name), which continues to the shoulder. The white stripes on the trailing edges of the lower leg may turn pink in the breeding male. The white-lipped tree frog has large toe pads, which aid it to climb. The toes are completely webbed, and the hands are partially webbed.
White-lipped tree frog, Cooktown, Queensland
A brown white-lipped tree frog
Green Tree Snake - Dendrelaphis puntulata - eating White-lipped Tree Frog near Cooktown, Queensland
Ecology and behaviour
The white-lipped tree frog is distributed in Australia along the coastal areas of Cape York Peninsula and the wet tropics of north-eastern Queensland. It is the most widely distributed tree frog in the New Guinea region, spanning from eastern Indonesia, through the New Guinea mainland, to the Bismarck and the Admiralty Islands in the north. It lives in rainforests, cultivated areas, and around houses in coastal areas, and is restricted to areas below 1200 m in altitude.
It has a loud, barking call, but when distressed, it makes a cat-like "mew" sound or may discharge urine. Males call during spring and summer after rain from vegetation around the breeding site, normally a still body of water.
Its diet is mainly insects and other arthropods. It can live to over 10 years in the wild.
This species of frog is known for being moved around in fruit produce from northern Australia and ending up becoming a lost frog in southern areas.
As a pet
It is kept as a pet; but in Australia, it may be kept in captivity only with an appropriate permit.
References
^ Iskandar, D.; Mumpuni; Hero, J.; Retallick, R. & Richards, S. (2017). "Nyctimystes infrafrenatus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2017: e.T41095A114114070. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T41095A114114070.en. Retrieved 26 December 2017..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em} Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern.
^ EOL.org
^ Barker, J., Grigg, G. C., and Tyler, M. J. (1995). A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty and Sons, New South Wales.
^ James Cook University, Australia: Litoria infrafrenata. Retrieved 19 June 2014
Menzies, J.I. (1976). Handbook of Common New Guinea Frogs. Wau Ecology Institute.
- Cronin, L., (2001). Australian Reptiles and Amphibians, Envirobook,
ISBN 0-85881-186-3
- Cogger, H.G. (2000). Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Reed Books: Sydney.
Melbourne zoo
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to white-lipped tree frog. |
Department of Environment and Resource Management: White-lipped tree frog—Conservation status and audio of frog call
Frog Australia Network—frog call available here.- [1]
- Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: White Lipped Tree Frog
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
