Southern brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii)
The Southern brown tree frog is a common species found in great numbers in flooded grasslands or marshes.
- It is a small frog, growing to approximately 45mm long.
- The adults have pale fawn, cream, orange or light brown sides.
- It is an agile climber and jumper.
- Similar to other small tree frogs, this species is a voracious insect eater, capable of leaping to catch a fly in mid-flight.
- The males make a 'creeee creee creee cree cree' call.
- The Southern brown tree frog lives in trees, shrubs, and rock or log crevices on the ground or in damp vegetation.
- It is also comfortable under pot plants and woodpiles.
- It can be found in gardens in suburban Melbourne. It has been seen in Balwyn, Camberwell, East Kew and Kew.
- The Southern brown tree frog is endangered in Boroondara.
- It is threatened by introduced predators such as cats and foxes.
- They are also extremely susceptible to pollution in waterways as they primarily breathe through their skin which is a poor barrier to pollutants. We can help by not polluting our streets and waterways.
- To help with the preservation of the Southern brown tree frog, create a shallow pond with gently sloping banks and logs, rocks, leaf litter and shrubs to provide shade, shelter and protection.
- Keep cats in at night to protect frogs and tadpoles.
- Avoid using chemical sprays and insecticides.
- Allow the frog to move into your garden naturally.
Striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii)
Striped marsh frogs are a large species of frog, growing to a length of 75mm.
- They have distinctive, alternating light and dark stripes on their body as well as a pale, narrow stripe down the centre of their back.
- They eat a variety of insects as well as almost any animal smaller than themselves, including other frogs.
- Their reproduction season is from August to March and tadpoles can be found all year round.
- The male frogs have a 'tock-' or 'poc'-like call.
- Striped marsh frogs live among wetland reeds and rushes in rainforests, open woodlands, farmland and urban wetlands.
- In Boroondara, the call of the Striped marsh frog can be heard in winter and spring emanating from Glass Creek in Hays Paddock, Willsmere Billabong and Back Creek in Camberwell.
- The Striped marsh frog is endangered in Boroondara, but secure in Melbourne.
- The Striped marsh frog is threatened by introduced predators such as cats and foxes.
- They are also extremely susceptible to pollution in waterways as they primarily breathe through their skin, which is a poor barrier to pollutants. We can help by not polluting our streets and waterways.
- To help with the preservation of the Striped marsh frog, create a shallow pond with gently sloping banks and logs, rocks, leaf litter and shrubs to provide shade, shelter and protection.
- Keep cats in at night to protect frogs and tadpoles.
- Avoid using chemical sprays and insecticides.
- Allow the frog to move into your garden naturally.