Peron's Tree Frog

Peron's Tree Frog
Male Litoria peronii with partially inflated vocal sac
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Hylidae
Genus:	Litoria
Species:	L. peronii
Binomial name
Litoria peronii Tschudi, 1838
Peron's Tree Frog range.

Peron's Tree Frog, Emerald Spotted Tree Frog, Laughing Tree Frog or the Maniacal Cackle Frog (Litoria peronii) is a common Australian tree frog of the genus Litoria.

Physical description

Peron's Tree Frog is one of the most varied coloured frogs in Australia, with the ability to change colour in less than one hour. It varies in shades of grey and brown, where its lightest is almost white. The frog has mottled yellow and black thighs, armpits and groin. Occasionally emerald spots are found on the back, which increase in number with age. A characteristic uncommon in the Litoria genus, is pupils which appear cross shaped. This characteristic is only shared with Tyler's Tree Frog within the Litoria genus. The male Peron tree frog is approximately 44-53 mm while Females are 46-65 mm.

Ecology and behaviour

Peron's Tree Frog with a leech attached to the front foot

The call of Peron's Tree Frog, is a high pitched cackle, giving it the common names: the "Laughing Tree Frog" and the "Maniacal Cackle Frog". The frog is found in forests, woodlands, shrub-lands and open areas, often far away from a water source. They inhabit a variety of niches, predominantly in arboreal situations, such as tree hollows, cracks and beneath the flaking bark. The frog is commonly found near civilisation (such as suburban Sydney), using ponds or dams as their breeding water source. It can often be seen on windows or near lights at night, as it hunts the insects attracted to these light sources. They can often be found at dusk on houseboat windows and beneath street lamps along the Murray River in South Australia.

As a pet

It is kept as a pet, in Australia this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.

References

• Hero et al. (2004). Litoria peronii. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern
• Cogger, H.G. 1979. Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. A. H. & A. W. REED PTY LTD ISBN 0-589-50108-9
• Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Peron's Tree Frog
• Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists

External links

Media related to Litoria peronii at Wikimedia Commons