There are 34 species of Frogs in South Australia. More information about them can be found on Frog Watch SA at https://www.frogwatchsa.com.au 

 

I will give some information on the most commonly seen frogs:

  • Eastern Banjo Frog
  • Peron’s Tree Frog
  • Desert Tree Frog
  • Green Tree Frog
  • Spotted Marsh Frog
  • Brown Tree Frog

    Also known as Pobblebonk or BullFrog Grows up to 90mm in length. It is a relatively large frog

    with a pale raised stripe from below the eye to the top of the front leg. They have a prominent lump on the hind leg and a white or mottled belly. There are two subspecies found in South Australia. One of the sub-specie has commonly a pale mid-stripe whereas the other subspecie

    has brilliant blue markings in the groin.

    Can be found in the Central District, Mt Lofty Ranges & Adelaide Plains, Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges, Kangaroo Island, Murray Valley, North East, South East, Yorke Peninsula.

    Their natural habitats include urban, heath and sclerophyll forest areas. Burrows in loamy soils emerge to feed and breed after rains. Often seen crossing roads in the Adelaide Hills on rainy nights.

    Their call is very similar to the plucking of a string on a banjo.

    Grows up to 65mm in length. These frogs have the ability to quickly change colour, ranging from a pale green-grey to a red-brown, and have tiny emerald green flecks on their back. Their thighs, groin and armpits have black and bright yellow markings. Their belly is granular and white or cream. They have cross shaped pupils and silver irises.

    Can be found in the Central District, Mt Lofty Ranges & Adelaide Plains, Murray Valley, South East.

    Their natural habitats are swamps and billabongs along the Murray River. They are mainly found in forest habitats, but can be found foraging in open grasslands and other open areas. During the day, they would mainly be found under loose bark of gum trees near rivers and waterholes.

    Their call has often been described as a “maniacal cackle”

    Males grow up to 35mm in length; Females grow up to 37mm in length. The Desert Tree Frog is a moderately sized frog, with a short head and legs. Their pupil is horizontal and their body is pale-brown, with darker brown freckles. They usually have a dark brown stripe along the side of their head and body. Their eardrums are visible and the sides of their hind legs are pale yellow. They have pads on their fingers and toes.

    Can be found in the Central Districts, Mt Lofty Ranges & Adelaide Plains, Flinders Ranges, North East, North West.

    Their natural habitats are waterholes, streams, swamps, lagoons, ditches and drains. They can also be found outside toilets and rainwater tanks.

    Their call is a loud, high pitched and pulsed screeched, similar to the call of a seagull

    It is one of the largest and the most widespread species of frog in Australia. It can grow up to 120mm in length. They have dark olive to bright green skin, which can change depending on temperature, humidity and lighting. Their sides (and sometimes their backs) can have a scattering of white spots (or flecks). The back of their thighs varies from yellow to maroon. Their belly is white. Their irises are golden and their pupils are horizontal. Their fingers are partially webbed and their toes are webbed with large toe discs.

    Can be found in the North East and North West.

    Their natural habitats are dry forests, woodland and grassland that are near streams, swamps or urban backyards.

    Their call is similar to a “crawk……crawk……crawk” sound that is repeated continuously.

    (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis)

    The Spotted Marsh Frog is found throughout New South Wales, Victoria, eastern South Australia, most of Queensland and eastern Tasmania.

    Spotted Marsh Frogs reach an adult size of 40-50mm and live in excess of 5 years. Spotted Marsh Frogs are regularly bred in captivity and represent two of the most readily and commonly kept species.

    The following information should help you learn how to care for your Spotted Marsh Frog.

    (Litoria ewingii)

    The Brown Tree Frog is a slender species characterised by a dark brown to sandy grey-brown upper surface with a broad darker brown patch flanked by a darker brown to black stripe running the length of the back. The under surface is white. The adult female reaches 45 mm, the male reaches 37 mm.