Peron’s tree frog fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are Peron’s tree frogs?

Peron’s tree frogs are large Australian tree frogs. Their scientific name is Litoria peronii. They are sometimes called emerald-spotted tree frogs because their backs can have small bright green flecks.

Peron’s tree frogs can be grey, pale green-grey, light brown or reddish brown. Students may notice their cross-shaped pupils, silver eyes, large toe pads and bright yellow-and-black markings on their thighs.

Peron’s tree frogs are often noticed by sound as much as by sight. Males make a loud drill-like call during warm, wet weather in spring and summer. In the Dharug language of the Sydney region, gunggung means frog.

A Peron’s tree frog.

Peron’s tree frogs have cross-shaped pupils, green flecks and large toe pads.

Where do Peron’s tree frogs live?

Peron’s tree frogs are found across much of eastern Australia, including New South Wales. They can live in forests, woodlands, shrublands, open grassland, farmland, gardens and urban areas where there is suitable shelter and water nearby.

They are often active at night. During the day they may shelter in tree hollows, fallen logs, pipes, gaps, under bark or beneath low plants. At night they climb through trees and shrubs, move around the ground and gather near ponds, dams, lagoons, creek pools and other still or slow water.

In and around Field of Mars Reserve, Lane Cove National Park and greater Sydney, students may hear or see Peron’s tree frogs where suitable wet and sheltered habitat is present. Healthy waterways, native plants, leaf litter and quiet shelter help frogs move, feed and breed.

Creeks and wet areas in Lane Cove National Park provide water habitats for frogs, insects, reptiles and birds.

What do Peron’s tree frogs eat?

Adult Peron’s tree frogs are carnivores. They eat insects and other small invertebrates that they can catch at night.

They often forage in trees, shrubs and low vegetation near water. They may also move across the ground or into open areas when insects are active. Around homes and schools, tree frogs may catch insects that gather near outdoor lights.

Peron’s tree frogs are part of local food webs. They help reduce insect numbers, while also becoming food for larger animals such as birds, reptiles and mammals.

Night insects such as moths are part of the diet of many tree frogs.

What do Peron’s tree frogs sound like?

Peron’s tree frogs are well known for their loud call. The call is often described as a drill-like cackle, a maniacal cackle or a repeated machine-like sound.

Males usually call during spring and summer, especially after rain. They may call from the ground, low plants, trees or sheltered places near water.

Their calls can be very loud in urban areas. Sometimes males call from pipes or drains, where the hard surface can make the sound seem even stronger. Listening carefully is a good way to notice frogs without touching or disturbing them.

What is the life cycle of Peron’s tree frogs?

Peron’s tree frogs usually breed in spring and summer after rain. Males call near still or slow water to attract females.

Females lay eggs singly or in small groups. The eggs may be attached to twigs, plants or other material under the water in ponds, dams, creek pools, swamps and other still water.

The eggs hatch into tadpoles that live in the water. Peron’s tree frog tadpoles can grow large and may take about three to four months to develop into young frogs. During metamorphosis, tadpoles grow legs, absorb their tails and begin life as air-breathing frogs.

Many frogs lay soft jelly-like eggs in shallow water.

What adaptations do Peron’s tree frogs have to help them survive?

Peron’s tree frogs have large toe pads that help them climb trees, shrubs, reeds, rocks and smooth surfaces. Their toes are strongly webbed, which helps them move in water.

Their colour can change from pale green-grey to brown or reddish brown. This helps them blend with bark, leaves, rocks and damp surfaces at different times of the day and night.

Their loud calls help males attract females during the breeding season. Their moist skin helps them breathe and absorb water, but it also means they need damp places, clean water and shelter from drying out.

Large toe pads help Peron’s tree frogs climb trees, reeds and smooth surfaces.

Why are Peron’s tree frogs important?

Peron’s tree frogs help keep food webs working. Adult frogs eat insects and other small invertebrates, while frog eggs, tadpoles and adult frogs provide food for other animals.

Tadpoles also live in aquatic food webs. As they grow, they help move energy through ponds, creek pools and wetlands.

Frogs are sensitive to changes in water quality, shelter and habitat. Looking after clean water, native plants, leaf litter, tree hollows and quiet bushland helps care for Country and supports many living things connected to frogs.

Peron’s tree frogs are predators and prey in wetland and bushland food webs.

How can you help Peron’s tree frogs?

You can help Peron’s tree frogs by protecting damp, sheltered habitats. Leave logs, rocks, bark, leaf litter and native plants in place because these can provide shelter for frogs and the animals they eat.

Keep waterways and stormwater drains clean. Put rubbish in bins, avoid tipping chemicals into gutters, and reduce pesticide use in gardens and school grounds.

If you find a frog, watch it quietly and do not handle it. Frogs have sensitive skin, and sunscreen, insect repellent, soap or chemicals on human hands can harm them. At home or school, frog-friendly gardens can include native plants, shallow water, shelter and places where insects can live.

Frog-friendly ponds with native plants and shelter can support frogs in urban areas.

Related fact sheets

More amphibian fact sheets

• Amphibians fact sheet – Learn how frogs grow, breathe, move and depend on water.
• Striped marsh frog fact sheet – Compare another common frog that breeds near ponds, creeks and wetlands.
• Common eastern froglet fact sheet – Learn about another frog students may hear around damp ground and pond edges.
• Red-crowned toadlet fact sheet – Compare a smaller Sydney frog with a different breeding strategy.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Water habitats fact sheet – Explore why ponds, creeks and damp places are important for frogs and tadpoles.
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – Learn about local bushland, creekline and wetland habitats connected to frog habitat.

Food webs and ecological relationships

• Moth fact sheet – Moths are one type of night-active insect that frogs may catch.

Learn with us