The Whistling or Verreaux's Tree Frog, (Litoria verreauxii), is a frog occurring in Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

.

It has been divided into 2 sub-species, the Verreaux's Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxii verreauxii) and the Verreaux's Alpine Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxii alpina). The Alpine Tree Frog is restricted to the southern alps of New South Wales

New South Wales

New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...

 and Victoria. Verreaux's Tree Frog is widespread throughout south-eastern Queensland, coastal and highland regions of New South Wales and South-eastern Victoria.

Conservation status

Litoria verreauxii verreauxii is widespread and common across eastern Australia. Litoria verreauxii alpina on the other hand has a very restricted range and has suffered massive declines, it is currently listed as critically endangered.

Physical description

L. verreauxii verreauxii is light brown to red brown above, with an often indistinct broad darker patch starting between the eyes and continues over the back. A dark band starting at the nostril runs through the eye and down to the shoulder, this is under lined by a white line starting at the mouth. The thighs and back of the legs are red with small black spots, however, there are also some larger black spots present in front of the thighs.

L. verreauxii alpina is mostly green on the dorsal surface with two brown bands running parallel to each other down the back. Thes bands start at the eye and are separated by a narrow band of green. The thighs and back of legs are the same as above. The belly of both sub-species is white. Both sub-species reach a maximum size of about 35mm.

Ecology and behaviour

Verreaux's Tree Frog inhabits swamps, dams and creeks in woodland, farmland, forest and cleared land. Males call from pondside vegetation or from the ground all year round, but intensifies during autumn and spring and after rain. As its name implies this frog makes a whistling noise weep-weep-weep-etc.

The Alpine Tree Frog inhabits alpine ponds and pools of creeks in moorland, alpine forest and partly cleared land. Males have a similar call as above and call from beside the breeding site during spring and summer.

Chytrid fungus is believe to be partly responsible for the decline of this alpine species.

As a pet

It is kept as a pet, in Australia this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.

Sources

• Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
• Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.
• Frog Australia Network - Alpine Tree Frog-frog call available
• Frogs Australia Network - Whistling Tree Frog-frog call available
• Red List
• Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Whistling Tree Frog
• Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
• All About Frogs: Species Caresheets : Information on Specific Breeds of Frogs and Toads