Common eastern froglet

What is a common eastern froglet?

The common eastern froglet, scientifically known as  Crinia signifera, is a small species of frog native to eastern Australia. Common eastern froglets are known for their small size and distinct croaking sounds. They are one of the most common frog species in the Sydney region. The Darug people of the Sydney basin refer to frogs like this species as  gunggung.

Common eastern froglets are a ground-dwelling frog species.

What do common eastern froglets look like?

Common eastern froglets grow up to 3 centimetres in length. This species comes in many different colours. Their backs are mainly brown, grey, cream and beige. Common eastern froglets can have stripes, spots or patches on their backs. Some are smooth skinned whilst others may have warts or ridges. Their bellies are grey with white and black patterns.

Common eastern froglets have small dark triangle patches near their lips and eyes that are a shiny gold colour. As they live on the ground, their toes are not webbed and they don't have any round discs on them.

Even though common eastern froglets vary in body colour, they all have gold irises.

What do common eastern froglets sound like?

Unlike other frogs, common eastern froglets will call any time of day and all year round. They make a 'crick, crick, crick' sound which means they are often mistaken for crickets.

Try to identify the common eastern froglets calling the video recorded in the Field of Mars Reserve.

Common eastern froglets call year round. Their chin inflates like a balloon when they call.

Where do common eastern froglets live?

Common eastern froglets are found throughout south eastern Australia. They can be found in various ecosystems such as forests, woodlands and wetlands. They are a ground-dwelling frog meaning they live on the ground and do not climb trees. Common eastern froglets can be found in water bodies such as streams, ponds and dams. They can also live on land, taking shelter under logs and leaf litter where they are able to keep moist.

Common eastern froglets are also widespread in urban areas. They can be found in garden ponds, pools and ditches of water.

Common eastern froglets can be found in freshwater ponds like this one in Lane Cove National Park near Field of Mars Reserve.

What do common eastern froglets eat?

Common eastern froglets eat insects and other small invertebrates. Their diet includes mosquitoes, moths, cockroaches, small spiders and flies.

How do common eastern froglets reproduce and what is their life cycle?

Common eastern froglets breed year round in still water bodies such as ponds or swamps. Female frogs can lay up to 200 eggs, usually in clusters and attached to leaves or twigs.

It takes about 10 days for eggs to hatch. The eggs hatch into tadpoles which have gills for breathing underwater. In some cases, the tadpoles can be longer than the adult frogs.

As the tadpoles grow, they develop legs and lungs. Frogs in this life stage are called metamorphs.

The tails of metamorphs gradually shrink and they transform into froglets. These froglets continue to grow and mature into adult frogs. This can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months.

This tiny common eastern froglet has recently metamorphosed.

What adaptations do common eastern froglets have to their environment?

Whilst often heard, common eastern froglets aren't easy to find. When on land they take shelter under fallen logs and leaves. This helps to keep their skin moist whilst hiding away from predators. Their small size and patterns on their skin helps common eastern froglets camouflage in with their surroundings, making them even more difficult for predators to spot.

Common eastern froglets appear to be well adapted for tolerating disease. Chytridiomycosis is a disease which has unfortunately caused many amphibian species to decline and even become extinct. This does not appear to be the case for common eastern froglets. Scientists have shown that common eastern froglets can even get rid of their infections.

Common eastern froglets blend in well with their surroundings.