Order Anura Higher classification Australasian treefrogs | Phylum Chordata Family Hylidae Scientific name Litoria peronii Rank Species | |
 | ||
Similar Frog, Australasian treefrogs, Striped marsh frog, Eastern dwarf tree frog, Limnodynastes | ||
Peron s tree frogs
Peron's tree frog, the emerald-spotted tree frog, the emerald-speckled tree frog, the laughing tree frog, or the maniacal cackle frog (Litoria peronii) is a common Australian tree frog of the Hylidae family.
Contents
- Peron s tree frogs
- Peron s tree frog litoria peronii
- Description
- Ecology and behaviour
- As a pet
- References
Peron s tree frog litoria peronii
Description
Peron's tree frog is one of the most variably 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 genus Litoria is pupils which appear cross-shaped. This characteristic is only shared with Tyler's tree frog within the Litoria genus. The male Peron's tree frog is about 44–53 mm, while females are 46–65 mm.
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 from a water source. They inhabit a variety of niches, predominantly arboreal, such as tree hollows, cracks, and beneath flaking bark. The frog is commonly found near civilisation (such as suburban Sydney), using ponds as their breeding-water source. They can often be seen on windows or near lights at night, hunting 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/zoo with the appropriate permit.