On this page Content components Boroondara is home to many native reptiles and frogs. Learn how to identify and protect these species. If you find an injured native animal, contact Wildlife Victoria: (03) 8400 7300 or Wildlife Victoria. Eastern long-necked turtleScientific name: Chelodina longicollisThe eastern long-neck turtle:has a 25cm long shellvaries in colour from light to dark brown to black.This turtle is a protected species. You must not take them from the wild. Eastern Long-Necked Turtle. Image by Ian Moodie. You can find the turtle in:swampsbillabongsslow-moving creeks and riversWillsmere ParkKoonung Creek Reserve.Their neck is almost equal in length to their body. They move slowly and travel on land in the warmer months after rain. The turtle turns its head sideways and withdraws into its shell to avoid predators.Eastern long-necked turtles are threatened by:changes in water levels (for example, as a result of drought)predators such as foxes, rakali (indigenous rodents) and ravens. Marbled geckoScientific name: Christinus marmoratusThe Marbled gecko is a small, soft-bellied lizard that grows up to 70mm long.They have large finger and toe pads, which spread out to grasp slippery or soft surfaces.You can find marbled geckos:in woodpiles, fallen timber or logs during the dayaround external lights, feeding on insects at night.They eat anything small enough to fit in their mouth. Marbled Gecko. Image by Ian Moodie. How to protect the marbled geckoYou can help protect the marbled gecko by:avoiding use of chemical sprays and insecticideskeeping cats inside at night. Southern brown tree frog Scientific name: Litoria ewingii The Southern brown tree frog is a common species found in Boroondara. They are a small frog, growing to approximately 45mm long. They have been seen in Balwyn, Camberwell, East Kew and Kew. Southern Brown Tree Frog. Image by Ian Moodie. You can find the frog in: flooded grasslands or marshes trees, shrubs, and rock or log crevices under pot plants and woodpiles gardens in suburban Melbourne. They are agile climbers and jumpers and eat insects. The adults have pale fawn, cream, orange or light brown sides. The males make a 'creeee creee creee cree cree' call. Striped marsh frogScientific name: Limnodynastes peroniiStriped marsh frogs are a large species of frog and grow to a length of 75mm.They have:distinctive, alternating light and dark stripes on their bodya pale, narrow stripe down the centre of their back. Striped Marsh Frog. Image by Ian Moodie. You can find striped marsh frogs in:wetland reeds and rushes in rainforestsopen woodlandsfarmlandurban wetlands.Glass Creek in Hays PaddockWillsmere BillabongBack Creek in Camberwell.They eat insects and smaller animals, including other frogs.This frog reproduces from August to March. The male frogs have a 'tock-' or 'poc'-like call.How to protect frogsThese frogs are threatened by:predators, like cats and foxespollution in waterways.You can help by:keeping cats in at nightnot polluting streets and waterwaysadding a shallow pond with gently sloping banks to your gardenadding logs, rocks, leaf litter and shrubs to your garden for shade and protectionavoiding chemical sprays and insecticidesletting the frog move into your garden naturally.More informationWatch our fantastic frogs webinar.
