| Magnificent Tree Frog | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Litoria |
| Species: | L. splendida |
| Binomial name | |
| Litoria splendida Tyler, Davies & Martin, 1977 |
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| Distribution of the Magnificent Tree Frog | |
The Magnificent Tree Frog or Splendid Tree Frog (Litoria splendida) is a tree frog species that was first described in 1977. It has a limited range, only occurring on the north-western coast of Australia in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. It has a similar appearance to, and can be confused with, the closely related White's Tree Frog.
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The Magnificent Tree Frog is a relatively large tree frog, with the males reaching a length of 10.4 centimetres (4.1 in) and the females 10.6 centimetres (4.2 in). They have an olive to bright green dorsal surface with a white ventral surface. The undersides of the feet and legs are bright yellow. Most specimens will have white or sulphur-coloured dots on their back, of varying densities. The older Magnificent Tree Frogs can be distinguished from White's Tree Frogs with the presence of very large parotoid glands, which cover the entire top of the head and droop over the tympanum. The tympanum is large, almost the size of the eye, and partially obscured by the parotoid gland.
The Magnificent Tree Frog is native to the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and as such, will enter caves and rock crevices during the day. Much like the other large tree frogs in Australia, White's Tree Frog and the Giant Tree Frog, it will inhabit areas near humans, and can be found around buildings and in toilets, showers and water tanks. They are nocturnal, and will hunt and breed at night.
Breeding probably takes place during the wet season. The male's call is very similar to that of White's Tree Frog, a deep "crawk-crawk-crawk" repeated many times. The breeding habits of the Magnificent Tree Frog have not been extensively studied.
It is kept as a pet, in Australia this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.