White’s Tree Frog

Litoria caerulea

This tree frog has many unique features that set it apart from other tree frogs.  It is large, ranging in length from 3 to 4.5 inches with females being slightly larger than males.  This species is capable of some color change.  They have enormous toe pads with partial webbing between fingers and almost complete webbing between toes.  Their eyes have horizontal pupils, where most tree frogs have vertical pupils.  As an adaptation to arid areas, they secrete a waxy covering over their skin that helps retain water.  They are very tame and have little fear of humans and are active both day and night.

They are found in northern and eastern Australia, the Islands in Torres Straits, New Guinea and have been introduced to New Zealand.  They have adapted to seasonally dry or wet habitats and prefer moist forested environments but their skin can adjust to drier situations.  They typically live in trees and their diet consists of moths, locusts and roaches.   A clutch can contain from 150 to 300 eggs with hatching beginning about 28 to 36 hours after laying.  Metamorphosis can occur in 2 to 3 weeks in good conditions.  Their average life span is about 16 years.