Striped marsh frog fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are striped marsh frogs?

The striped marsh frog (Limnodynastes peronii) is a common Australian frog that lives near wetlands, creeks, ponds and damp bushland along eastern Australia. These frogs are often heard after rain when males call loudly from shallow water or thick vegetation. Students exploring local parks, school wetlands or bushland around Sydney may hear them before they see them.

Striped marsh frogs are medium-sized frogs with smooth skin, strong back legs and a pale stripe running down the middle of their back. Their colour can vary from brown and olive to grey, helping them blend into leaf litter, grasses and muddy wetland edges. Their striped pattern gives them their common name.

These frogs are active mostly at night and during wet weather. They can live in a wide range of habitats, including suburban gardens, farm dams and urban wetlands. Striped marsh frogs are often found in places where there is still water for breeding and damp shelter nearby.

A striped marsh frog.

A striped marsh frog hiding among leaf litter.

Where do striped marsh frogs live?

Striped marsh frogs live across eastern Australia from Queensland through New South Wales and into eastern Victoria. They are common in coastal and near-coastal environments but can also live inland where suitable wetlands occur.

These frogs need damp environments and are usually found near ponds, swamps, creeks, flooded drains, farm dams and temporary pools. During the day they shelter under logs, rocks, leaf litter and thick vegetation where conditions stay cool and moist.

Striped marsh frogs are common in many parts of Sydney, including wetlands and bushland areas around the Field of Mars Reserve and Lane Cove National Park. Students may hear their calls after heavy rain or during warm evenings in spring and summer.

Striped marsh frogs can live near slow-moving waterways and ponds.

What do striped marsh frogs eat?

Striped marsh frogs are carnivores that feed mainly on small invertebrates. They eat insects, spiders, worms, beetles, ants, flies and mosquitoes. Their sticky tongue helps them quickly catch moving prey.

These frogs usually hunt at night when conditions are cooler and wetter. They often wait quietly before suddenly jumping forward to catch prey. Tadpoles feed differently from adults and usually graze on algae and tiny organic material in the water.

Striped marsh frogs are an important part of wetland food webs. They help control insect populations and are also food for birds, snakes, fish and larger frogs.

Striped marsh frogs eat beetles and many other insects.

What do striped marsh frogs sound like?

Striped marsh frogs are well known for their loud “tok” or “plok” call. Many people describe the sound as similar to a dripping tap or a small hammer tapping wood. Males call mostly after rain during the breeding season.

Calling frogs are usually found near shallow water where eggs can safely develop. Large groups of males may call together in wetlands, ponds and flooded grasslands on warm evenings.

Listening for frog calls is one of the easiest ways to detect striped marsh frogs because they are often difficult to spot among vegetation.

A male striped marsh frog calling in water.

What is the life cycle of striped marsh frogs?

Striped marsh frogs breed mostly during warmer months after rainfall. Males call to attract females near shallow water such as ponds, flooded grasslands or wetlands.

Females lay eggs inside floating foam nests made from mucus whipped into bubbles by the adults’ back legs. The foam helps protect the eggs from drying out and from some predators. After hatching, tadpoles drop into the water where they continue developing.

Tadpoles breathe underwater using gills before slowly growing legs and lungs as they transform into froglets. Young frogs leave the water once metamorphosis is complete. Striped marsh frogs usually grow quickly when food and water are plentiful.

Foam nests protect striped marsh frog eggs.

Striped marsh frog tadpoles are large and dark in colour.

A striped marsh frog metamorph has legs and a shrinking tail.

What adaptations do striped marsh frogs have to help them survive?

Striped marsh frogs have several adaptations that help them survive in wet and changing environments. Their striped and mottled colours provide camouflage among mud, grasses and leaf litter. This makes them harder for predators to see.

Their powerful back legs help them jump quickly away from danger and move through thick wetland vegetation. Like many frogs, they absorb water through their skin instead of drinking with their mouths.

Their loud calls help males attract mates across noisy wetland environments after rain. Foam nests protect developing eggs from drying out and changing water levels.

Striped marsh frogs are also adaptable and can survive in natural wetlands as well as some urban environments, provided there is clean water and shelter nearby.

Camouflage helps striped marsh frogs hide from predators.

Why are striped marsh frogs important?

Striped marsh frogs are important predators in wetland ecosystems. They help control insect populations, including mosquitoes and other small invertebrates.

They are also an important food source for birds, reptiles, fish and mammals. Because frogs absorb water and oxygen through their skin, they are sensitive to pollution and environmental change. Scientists often study frog populations to learn about ecosystem health.

Healthy frog populations usually indicate healthy wetlands and waterways. Protecting frog habitats also helps many other plants and animals that depend on wetlands.

Healthy wetlands support striped marsh frogs and many other animals.

How can you help striped marsh frogs?

People can help striped marsh frogs by protecting wetlands, ponds and bushland habitats. Leaving logs, leaf litter and native plants in gardens can provide shelter for frogs and insects.

Avoid using pesticides and chemicals near waterways because frogs are sensitive to pollution. Keeping waterways clean and reducing rubbish also helps protect frog habitats.

Students can help local frogs by learning frog calls, joining citizen science projects and respecting wetland environments when visiting parks and bushland.

Native plants and clean water help frogs survive.

Related fact sheets

More amphibian fact sheets

• Amphibian fact sheets – overview
• Amphibians fact sheet – overview of amphibian features and life cycles.
• Common eastern froglet fact sheet – another common Sydney frog.
• Red-crowned toadlet fact sheet – a small frog found in Sydney sandstone habitats.

Habitats and ecosystems

• Water habitats fact sheet – explains the freshwater habitats used by frogs.
• Leaf litter habitat fact sheet – explains damp ground-layer habitat used by frogs and their prey.
• Rock and log habitats fact sheet – logs and rocks create sheltered places for frogs and small animals.
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – learn about the reserve and the habitats found there.

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