Frogs
The zoo became home to green tree frogs, Pelodryas caeruleus, in March 2021.
The zoo team have designed their home to reflect the place where many people see this species of native frog - their backyard. Water tanks, drain pipes, toilets and letterboxes are also popular frog spots in urban areas. In the wild you will find them in cool, damp dark places including wetlands, forests, woodlands and heath.
What do they look like?
These frogs have smooth green skin with scattered white spots on their back and creamy white underbellies. Their skin has a waxy coating to help reduce evaporation.
Tiny sticky pads on their toes help them climb smooth surfaces allowing them to escape predators and find food such as insects, spiders, worms, lizards and other frogs.
Predators and disease
Natural predators of Green Tree Frogs are snakes and birds, but the main danger threat to this species is the destruction of habitat and a disease called chytrid fungus that attacks the frogs skin.
Where do they live in Australia?
You will find these large amphibians in all states except for Victoria and Tasmania.
Importance
Frogs are important indicator species meaning they are sensitive to changes in their environment. If frogs are no longer seen in an area it may indicate a change in the quality of air or water.
Be Frog Friendly
• Create a frog pond to provide breeding habitat
• Keep chemicals away from your pond or areas where frog live
• Frogscape your yard with plants, rocks, logs and ground cover
• Create a frog hotel
• Keep your cats and dogs indoors. It’s estimated that 1 million frogs are killed by pet cats each year across Australia. This figure increases to almost 100 million if frogs killed by feral cats are included.
• If you have a large property, retain areas of native vegetation as the rocks, leaf litter and fallen timbers may be vital refuge sites.
• Maintain wildlife corridors, and preserve natural waterways on your property.
• Keep cattle and other hard-hooved livestock away from sections of stream banks and dams by fencing off portions of the bank.
Did you know?
A group of frogs is called an army, while a group of toads is called a knot.