White tree frog: behavior and characteristics

The white tree frog, also known as the Australian green tree frog, can be easily identified by observing its voracious appetite and its body folds similar to fat rolls. Their smiling faces and pleasant eyes make them adorable and delight anyone.

These charismatic features, along with the rugged nature and ease of care of this frog, have made it one of the most popular amphibious pets . They are endemic to Australia and the surrounding island countries.

Keeping this species in captivity is not a difficult task . These frogs eagerly devour all commonly available insects and their housing requirements are easy to meet. When they are acquired in good health, they are kept in the right environment and are fed an appropriate diet, they are quite resistant. Cases of more than 20 years of longevity in captivity have been documented.

Physical characteristics and behavior

This frog has a bluish green to emerald green back that can change tone according to the temperature and color of the environment . It has some white or golden patches scattered on the side and occasionally on the back, from the angle of the mouth to the base of the forearms.

The ventral surface is milky and rough texture

strong>: the back and throat are softer. The teeth are prominent and are located in the front of the mouth. His eyes are golden, with a horizontal pupil, typical of the genre Litoria , while the genre Hylids tends to present a vertical pupil.

 Australian green tree frog

The fat crest on the eye it is a very distinctive feature of the white tree frog . The fingertips, and these in themselves, are great. An average female is about 10 centimeters long and about 7 centimeters male.

The skin of the white tree frog is covered with a thick cuticle that allows it to retain moisture as an adaptation to arid areas . It has been discovered that skin secretions that destroy pathogens on the skin of these frogs can also have benefits for humans . The secretions have antibacterial and antiviral properties, and are known to lower blood pressure in humans.

Although the white tree frog is active during the day, at night it makes use of the entire room that provide you , if you are in captivity. A 20-gallon aquarium is perfect for an adult individual. Good airflow is important for the long-term health of the frog.

Distribution and habitat

The white tree frog is native to Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea . It is widely distributed in Australia from the Kimberley region through most of the Northern Territory. In Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, this species is found only in scattered places.

Litoria caerulea

This species is found in a variety of habitats including wet and dry forests, as well as grasslands in colder climates . Typically, however, they are found in the canopy of trees near a water source.The female expels its eggs to the sperm cloud of the male, where they are fertilized, before sinking into the bottom of the water system in which it is found.

The eggs take between one and three days to incubate and the metamorphosis begins in three weeks if everything is in good condition . Young frogs mature in a couple of years. Its large terminal discs in the fingers allow this frog to climb in search of water to live during dry periods. Its adaptability allows it to share urban and suburban areas with humans.

The white tree frog has some native predators such as snakes, lizards and birds. But it is also hunted by cats and dogs in their suburban habitats. Habitat loss associated with urban sprawl is a major threat in coastal areas . Some animals have been found with a fungus and there is the possibility of an epidemic in the species in the near future.