Some Common Pond Frogs in the Hunter Valley

The Hunter Valley with surrounding ranges has a rich and diverse frog fauna. There are more than 20 species in the area. Pond breeding frogs are the most likely to be encountered around residential areas.

Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog (Litoria fallax): Summer, 20mm.
This is one of the smallest tree frogs. Very common where a suitable habitat of sedges or grass for winter shelter, on the edge of ponds with reeds on which the frogs call during summer are found. They are bright green with a black stripe through the eye. Call : High pitched "wreek-pip-pip".

Peron's Tree Frog (Litoria peronii); Tyler's Tree Frog (Litoria tyleri): Early Summer, 44-65mm.
These frogs are closely related. These medium sized frogs shelter in cracks in logs, on trees and under bark. When calling their large size and habit of sitting on vegetation on the pond surface makes them easy to find. They have brown backs with green flecks, their groin is bright orange/yellow with black spots. This "flash colour" distracts predators when the frogs jump. A black line on top of the ear membrane distinguishes Tylers Tree Frog from Peron's. Call: "maniacal cackle".

Bleating Tree Frog (Litoria dentata): Mid summer, 32-44mm.
This frog is similar in appearance to Peron's Tree Frog however it is smaller and lacks green flecks. They only call on warm nights during rainy periods, and are abundant where suitable habitats occur. The adults are secretive and shelter deep in cracks in wood. When calling it is easily observed on tree branches or on dead wood in ponds. Call : "loud high pitched pulsed note".

Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea): Mid summer, 60-110mm
This is the largest frog species in the Hunter and is often found around houses on walls and in wet areas. They form breeding aggregations after heavy summer rain in flooded grassland depressions. These may often be roadside ditches. Call : "crawk" repeated continuously.

Broad Palmed Frog (Litoria latopalmata): Early summer, 30-42mm.
This frog belongs to a group of tree frogs that have adapted to a ground lifestyle. It has a more pointed snout and a racier appearance than the other brown backed tree frogs. This frog is found in areas of thick grassland and open areas. Call : "soft purring trill" for 2-3 seconds.

Spotted Grass Frog (Lynodynastes tasmaniensis): Autumn-Late Spring 30-47mm
Abundant throughout the Hunter, its bubble nests are easily observed in shallow flooded grassland. In spring large aggregations may spawn together with dozens of egg masses visible in an area. Although commonly sighted on open areas during rainy periods, or under shelter, it is very secretive and difficult to find when calling. Call : "uk-uk-uk-uk-uk-".

Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peronii): Early spring-late summer, 48-73mm
This large abundant frog calls from the deeper margins of ponds. The males establish a territory under vegetation and call continuously sometimes even during the day. Once the eggs are laid in foam nests the male frog guards them by lying underneath. They often form aggregations of 5-10 males spaced several meters apart. Call : "Bonk…2- 3 seconds…Bonk ..".

Common Froglet (Crinia signifera): Early autumn-Late Spring, 20-28mm
A very abundant frog that calls, except in mid-summer, from hides under grass, logs or rocks. It is a repetitive spawner, laying eggs under vegetation next to water. The tadpoles live at the shallow pond margin in thick shelter. Easily heard but best observed by turning shelter. Call : A rapid "crick…crick…crick…crick…" very loud for such a small frog.