White's Treefrog
Pelodryas caerulea
Distribution, Climate & Habitat: northeast Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and the Torres Straits. Found primarily in forested areas near to water, although may gather around human habitation during dry spells in search of water. Found in both tropical and temperate forests
Size: females
can grow up to 14 centimetres from snout to vent; males are smaller at
9 centimetres
Diet: mainly insects, but also smaller amphibians
Appearance:
this frog gets its name from the person who named it rather than because it
is white! Its colour can change depending on environmental conditions and mood
- a dull, olive-brown when cold, dry or disturbed, but a bright, leaf green
(or even bluish-green) when war, moist and relaxed. Some individuals have variable
amounts of white spotting above. Whitish below. A large, stocky treefrog, with
females in particular tending to become quite obese. Large toepads. The folds
of skin that can develop give the appearance of being obese, hence in Australia
they are known as Dumpy treefrogs. Some females can become so obese that the
folds of skin over the eyes can droop over the eyes, obscuring vision!
Habits: usually nocturnal. The skin can produce a waxy substance that dries to form a waterproof layer over the skin that serves to prevent the frog drying up during dry weather. Often found resting by day curled up in green foliage, where its green colouration serves to camoflage it from potential predators
Fascinating Fact:
many records exist of White's treefrogs living for 15 - 20 years in captivity!
The lifespan in the wild is much lower due to heavy predation