The Striped Rocket Frog (Litoria nasuta, also known as Ranoidea nasuta) is a fast, slender and highly agile frog native to eastern Australia. It is named for both its distinctive dark longitudinal stripe and its ability to leap extraordinary distances with explosive power.
Taxonomy & Names
Common name: Striped Rocket Frog
Scientific name: Litoria nasuta (or Ranoidea nasuta)
Family: Hylidae
Genus: Litoria / Ranoidea
Appearance
Size: adults reach 4.5–5.5 cm;
Shape: slender with very long, muscular hind limbs adapted for powerful jumps;
Dorsal colour: brown, grey-brown or olive-brown;
Stripe: a clear dark stripe running from the snout along the back;
Belly: pale cream or yellowish;
Skin: smooth or lightly granular.
Distribution & Habitat
The species is widespread across eastern Australia:
from northern Queensland down through New South Wales to Victoria;
also found in northern tropical areas.
Typical habitats include:
wetlands, ponds, swamps and slow-flowing creeks;
grassy wetlands and forest edges;
farm dams, drains and urban waterbodies.
Behaviour
nocturnal and most active after dusk;
capable of leaping more than 2 metres when startled;
moves quickly through grass, reeds and wetland margins.
Call
The male’s call is a sharp, repeated “tik… tik… tik…”, commonly heard during the breeding season.
Diet
small flying insects;
mosquitoes and midges;
arthropods in grass and leaf litter.
Reproduction & Development
breeding occurs in warm, wet months;
eggs are laid in shallow or still water;
tadpoles are hardy and adapt to various freshwater habitats.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, with stable populations.
