Don't Tread on Me!

There are some very interesting species of ground dwelling frogs in Cairns and, while some of these have been placed in the tree frog genus (Litoria) for technical reasons, they do not live in trees and their toe disks are very reduced in comparison.

Mixophyes schevilli (Northern Barred frog)

Famous for its tadpoles which are Australia's longest lived (up to two years to metamorph) and largest (up to 150mm long), the adult frog is very impressive as well with its distinctive black stripes on its legs, entirely dark eyes, solid build, superb jumping ability and guttural call. The species is about to undergo a revision to its taxonomy and three separate species are expected: one a wider-ranging coastal, a second occurs patchily at mid to high altitudes and a third which only occurs at the top of the Windsor Tablelands (west of the Daintree). Suburbs which back onto rainforest with creeks are more likely to see the Northern Barred. Because of the species' need for permanent water bodies to last a long time, the drought has probably had an impact on this frog's breeding ability.

Notice: Cairns residents are asked to keep an eye out for this species when the 2005 summer breeding season returns. Please notify us if you should hear the deep, gutterall call of this frog (sounds like "WRAWK") or find any tadpoles like the photo above which are fairly consistent brown, very large, with a herring-bone-like pattern in the tail muscle.

Litoria nasuta (Rocket frog)

Perhaps the Australian record holder for the longest jumps, the Rocket frog has an aerodynamic head, racing stripes down its back and very long legs. Commonly seen on the roads at night, this frog easily clears a car lane with each jump. It's preferred habitat is wetlands and flooded cane fields.

Notice: Cairns residents are asked to keep an eye out for this species when the summer breeding season returns in 2005. Common before the severe drought, the FDR Project has not heard or seen this species at all since the drought broke. Residents are asked to please notify us if you come across this frog in Cairns!

Limnodynastes ornatus (Ornate Burrowing frog)

A pudgy little frog of generally brown colour and markings, the Ornate Burrowing frog is often mistaken for a young cane toad or gets dug up by gardeners. These little frogs also drown in swimming pools as they have no way to climb out. (A hinged wooden platform which extends into the water may help these and any other ground frog to get out of pools.) Common in areas of sandy soils, it occurs down the coast of Queensland and has apparently been bred in captivity easily. If you want to provide a breeding pond for this species, the pond will have to be inground. If you rescue any of this species' tadpoles from flooded roadside verges, you will need to feed them a protein based food more frequently than any other frog to stop them from being canabalistic.

Limnodynastes convexiusculus (Marbled Burrowing frog)

The larger cousin of the Ornate Burrowing frog, the Marbled has a lovely call which sounds like a small child saying the word 'bark'. This frog is found around Cairns in very small numbers and seems to produce very small clutches of eggs as well. The tadpoles (when you can find any) are nearly black and are larger than those of the Common Green tree frog - reaching about 70mm in length. The metamorph still has most of its large tail when it emerges from the water but is exactly like the adult in shape and appearance (many local tree frogs have juveniles which are completely unlike the adults during the first month of their terrestrial lives). This frog has been badly affected by development in Cairns and we hope to start up a breeding colony of these as soon as we are able to obtain larger premises.

Rana daemeli (Wood frog)

This frog is very common in some bushy suburbs and not at all in others and seems to be far more common on the Tablelands than it is in Cairns. There are a few around such as at Freshwater Lake, upper Mooroobool and Crystal Cascades which is where this large (probably gravid) female was seen. It has a cute call and the males at Freshwater Lake are heard calling from exactly the same spots from year to year.

Litoria leseueri (Stoney Creek frog or Leseuer's tree frog)

Another of the 'a car lane per jump' class, L. leseueri is also often seen on roads that pass through forests. It's prefered habitat is rainforest near a creek with a stoney bed to it. This frog is very similar to several species of frogs with brown colouration and a dark stripe through the eye but it can be positively identified by a black and yellow leopard skin pattern on the backs of its thighs. The males change colour entirely when they are in breeding condition and in the middle of calling in or near a creek -- becoming banana yellow during this time. If disturbed or after they have finished spawning, they return to brown. The females grow to roughly double the size of the male and are stocky and impressive. Unfortunately, the Cairns Frog Hospital has received more than a few Stoney Creek frogs from suburbs backing onto bush and the reason is because they are being run over with lawnmowers and being attacked by cats. If you live close to rainforest, check your lawn carefully before cutting and keep your cat indoors at night. For some reason, this species does not survive cat attack even when the injuries are minor.

Limnodynastes peronii (Striped Marsh frog)

This frog is very common from Victoria all the way through to the southside of Cairns. It is found in suburbs like Edmonton and those which border Trinity Inlet as far as Westcourt. There is also a strong population in Smithfield Heights. The individual in the photo came from Portsmith and was a mature male at only 3 cm. In southern states, this species can reach double that size. The Striped Marsh frog can be distinguished from the Rocket frog (L. nasuta) by its lack of skin folds down the back, the back/hip area is hunched rather than straight when the frog is sitting and the pointed snout is not as extended (it doesn't have the 'Concorde look'). Its call is exactly like the Ornate Burrowing frog so the two can be confused unless you can find the individual calling and make the ID from there. However, even the calling frog is hard to find because they float in the water amongst emerging vegetation like reeds, grass or water hyacinths. You could be right over it and still not see it!

Although published references indicate that the following species should be found in Cairns, we are unsure if these species remain and if they don't, it is probably because of their striking similarity to the cane toad (Bufo marinus) and resultant high slaughter rate:

• Uperoleia lithomoda (Stonemason toadlet)
• Crinia remota (Remote froglet)

Last updated: March 10th, 2006