The Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) is one of Australia's best-known frogs and is often found living close to people. Also called the Australian Green Tree Frog or White's Tree Frog, it is a large, robust tree frog that frequently appears around houses, water tanks, bathrooms and garden structures.
Taxonomy & Names
English names: Green Tree Frog, Australian Green Tree Frog, White's Tree Frog
Scientific name: Litoria caerulea
Genus: Litoria (Australian tree frogs)
Appearance
The Green Tree Frog is noticeably larger and bulkier than many other green tree frogs:
Body size: adults usually reach about 7–11 cm in length, with females generally larger than males;
Dorsal colour: typically bright green, blue-green or olive green, with some individuals appearing more bluish or brownish depending on temperature and background;
Spots: some frogs have small white spots or pale flecks on the back and sides;
Belly: underside is white to cream, with the throat of calling males sometimes tinged yellow;
Skin texture: skin is relatively smooth and can have a slightly waxy sheen, sometimes with gentle folds;
Limbs & toe pads: strong limbs with large, rounded toe pads that allow the frog to climb glass, tiles, metal and vegetation;
Overall shape: a plump, rounded body and large head give it a characteristic “chubby” appearance.
Distribution & Habitat
The species is native to northern and eastern Australia, and also occurs in parts of New Guinea and nearby regions:
found in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in regions with warm, humid climates;
natural habitats include rainforests, moist woodlands, wetlands and areas near rivers, creeks and swamps.
Green Tree Frogs adapt well to human environments:
commonly seen around houses, sheds, farm buildings, toilets, bathrooms and outdoor water tanks;
favour sheltered, humid spots such as window frames, drainpipes, cisterns, porch roofs and garden taps;
often found near lights at night where insects gather.
Behaviour
This species is a nocturnal, arboreal and surface-climbing frog:
by day frogs typically hide in cool, moist refuges such as tree hollows, roofs, pipes and behind shutters;
at night they emerge to hunt insects and other prey, moving across walls, windows and vegetation;
when threatened, they may jump away, seek cover or inflate their bodies and emit a defensive call.
Diet
The Green Tree Frog is carnivorous and feeds on a wide range of prey:
crickets, moths, beetles, cockroaches, mosquitoes and many other insects;
spiders and other small invertebrates;
larger individuals may occasionally eat small frogs, lizards or other suitably sized vertebrates.
They frequently take advantage of insects attracted to outdoor lights, acting as natural pest controllers around homes.
Call & Breeding
Male Green Tree Frogs produce a deep, resonant call:
calls are often described as loud, drawn-out “brawk” or “crawk” notes repeated at intervals;
calling is most common on warm, humid nights and during rainy periods;
males call from around ponds, drains, flooded ditches and water tanks.
Breeding takes place in still or slow-moving water:
females lay eggs in ponds, dams, flooded depressions and other suitable water bodies;
eggs are laid in clumps in shallow water, and tadpoles develop in these aquatic habitats;
after metamorphosis, froglets leave the water and move into surrounding vegetation and structures.
Conservation Status & Threats
On the IUCN Red List Litoria caerulea is currently listed as Least Concern (LC), indicating that overall populations are relatively secure across much of the range.
However, local populations may still be affected by:
habitat loss and modification, including removal of vegetation and wetland drainage;
pollution, pesticides and household chemicals contaminating water and surfaces;
road mortality, predation by pets and other human-related impacts;
potential disease issues such as chytrid fungus.
Maintaining garden ponds and native vegetation, reducing chemical use and providing safe refuges around houses can help support Green Tree Frogs and other native amphibians.
