Blue Mountains Tree Frog
| Blue Mountain Tree Frog | |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. citropa |
| Binomial name | |
| Litoria citropa Duméril & Bibron, 1841[verification needed] |
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| Distribution of the Blue Mountains Tree Frog | |
| Synonyms | |
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Litoria jenolanensis Copland , 1957 |
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The Blue Mountains Tree Frog, (Litoria citropa) is a species of tree frog native to the coastal and highland areas of eastern Australia, from just south of Newcastle NSW, to eastern VIC. The Jenolan Caves Tree Frog, a population formerly separated as L. jenolanensis, is nowadays included in this species.
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[edit] Physical description
This is a moderate sized frog, up to about 60 mm in length. Its dorsal surface is brown with a few darker flecks. There is a dark stripe that runs from the nostril, above the tympanum, to the groin. There is a lighter golden stripe above and adjacent to the dark stripe. The frog is normally green on the side of the head (under the eye), side and arms and legs. The amount of green on an individual frog can range from almost none at all to an all green colour morph (see images, both frogs from the same site). The green colour can occasionally be aqua-green. The armpit, thigh, groin and inner section of the foot are bright red-orange in colour. The belly is white.
[edit] Ecology and behaviour
This species is associated with flowing rocky streams in woodland and wet or dry sclerophyll forest. This species has a two-part call, the first is a strong "warrrrrk" followed by a number a shorter notes, that sound like a golf ball going in a hole. Males call from streamside vegetation and rocks in the stream from spring to summer, normally after heavy rain.
This species is often found in highland areas, especially the Blue Mountains, hence its name. The species Litoria jenolanensis is suspected to be genetically the same as this species.
[edit] As a pet
It can be kept as a pet[1] in Australia, in captivity with the appropriate permit.
[edit] Diet
Tree frogs generally eat a variety of insects; in captivity, they eat gut-loaded crickets, their own tadpoles, guppies, spiders and worms.
[edit] Sources
- Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
- Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.
- Frogs Australia Network-frog call available here.
- Frog and tadpole Study Group
- Frogs of Australia
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
[edit] References
- ^ Mark Davidson. 2005. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications. ISBN 0-975820-00-1
- Hero et al. (2004). Litoria citropa. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
