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WHITE'S TREE FROG
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Litoria caerulea
HOUSE NAME: "Kermit"
HABITAT: Northern and eastern Australia, islands in the Torres Straits, and New Guinea and New Zealand. Live in temperate and tropical rainforests.
CONSERVATION STATUS: Least Concern
FUN FACT: Their skin secretes a toxin called caerulein, which has been produced synthetically to treat high blood pressure. Their skin also produces several anti-bacterial and anti-viral chemicals.
DIET: Insects and other invertebrates, and occasionally other animals such as mice or smaller frogs. They absorb water through their skin, instead of drinking it
DESCRIPTION: White’s tree frogs can reach 4 inches in length. They are usually a bright green color, but can also appear blue-green, bluish, or brown. The underparts are white. They are sometimes known as “Australian dumpy frogs”, because of their plump “buddha” appearance. They have large ridges above the eyes, and they may have additional folds of skin elsewhere on their body. Their toes and fingers have circular disks that act as suction cups, allowing the frog to climb up smooth surfaces. The nostrils and eyes are on the top of the head, so that the frog can see and breath while submerged. They have a large conspicuous eardrum (tympanum) behind each eye. Males are usually smaller than females and have a throat patch of loose gray skin, which expands when the male is calling.
FIND ME IN THE ZOO:
*White's Tree Frogs are education animal ambassadors, they may not viewable during your visit if they are in a program.
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