| Brown Tree Frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. ewingii |
| Binomial name | |
| Litoria ewingii Duméril & Bibron, 1841 |
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| Native distribution of the Brown Tree Frog | |
The Brown tree Frog, (Litoria ewingii), also known as the Whistling Tree Frog,[1] is a species of tree frog native to most of southern Victoria, eastern South Australia, southern New South Wales — from about Ulladulla , though there are reports of this species occurring further north — throughout Tasmania, including Bass Strait Islands, where it is the most frequently encountered frog in that state. It has been introduced to New Zealand, where it can be locally abundant.
Contents |
This species reaches 45 mm in length. It is pale to dark brown on the dorsal surface, with a broad darker patch starting at the eyes and covering the majority of the back. There is a dark band starting at the nostril which runs through the eye and tympanum to the shoulder, and there is a pale white stripe below this which runs from the mouth to the arm. The back of the thighs are red, there is no black marbling present (except specimens from the Adelaide region), distinguishing this species from the similar Verreaux's Tree Frog, (Litoria verreauxii). Some specimens from western Victoria and south eastern South Australia can be partially or entirely green. The belly is cream.
This species is found in a wide range of habitats. This includes forest, farmland, heathland, semi-arid areas, alpine regions and suburban areas. They are particularly common in parts of suburban Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart, where they are often observed upon window panes at night, attracted by flying insects. Males make a whistling weep-weep-weep call from beside or floating in the water of, dams, ditches, ponds and streamside pools. Males call all year round, particularly after rain. Eggs are easily identifiable, being wound around submerged grass stems, aquatic vegetation and sticks. Amazingly, these frogs can freeze and survive [2]
It is kept as a pet, in Australia this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.