Peron's Tree Frog
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| Peron's Tree Frog | ||||||||||||||
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 Male Litoria peronii with partially inflated vocal sac
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| Litoria peronii Tschudi, 1838 |
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 Peron's Tree Frog range.
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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.
[edit] Physical description
Peron's Tree Frog is one of the most varied colored frog in Australia, with the ability to change color 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 the number increase 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 Peronn tree forg is approx 44-53 mm while Females are 46-65 mm.
[edit] Ecology and behaviour
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, shrublands and open areas, often far away from a water source. They inhabit a variety of niches, predominately 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 streetlamps along the Murray River in South Australia.
[edit] References
- Hero et al (2004). Litoria peronii. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. 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
