The broad-palmed frog (''Litoria latopalmata'') is a species of ground-dwelling

tree frog A tree frog (or treefrog) is any species of frog that spends a major portion of its lifespan in trees, known as an arboreal state. Several lineages of frogs among the Neobatrachia suborder have given rise to treefrogs, although they are not clos ...

. It is native to much of eastern Australia. They can be found from mid-Queensland to south of Sydney. It is associated with the coast and inland, and is distributed as far west in

New South Wales New South Wales (commonly abbreviated as NSW) is a States and territories of Australia, state on the Eastern states of Australia, east coast of :Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria (state), Victoria to the south, and South ...

to the

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...

border.

Description

The broad-palmed frog is pale to dark brown on it dorsal surface; it can have darker blotches or variegations. Its skin is smooth, with the occasional wart on its back. A black band runs from the snout, through the eye and tympanum, and breaks into blotches down the side. A white line breaks the black band in front of the eye, and runs under the eye. The thighs are marbled yellow and black and the armpit is yellow. The lower lip is normally marbled black and white. The belly is white.

Ecology and behaviour

The broad-palmed frog will call in a large chorus during mating season, around a still water source, normally a dam, but may be a roadside ditch, temporary puddle or still area of a stream. The call is a short "quark" repeated continuously. This species of frog can be found great distances from the breeding area and tends to inhabit open country or forest. Up to 350 eggs are laid in mass either floating or attached to vegetation. This egg mass will often sink once disturbed. Hatching occurs 3–6 days after laying, depending on temperature. Tadpoles are sandy gold and reach a maximum size of 49mm. The developmental period is short, as eggs are often laid in very temporary water. Metamorph frogs resemble the adult and measure from 14-17mm in length.

Sources

* Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney * Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney
Frogs Australia Network
frog call available here

References

* Database entry includes a range map and a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Broad Palmed FrogDepartment of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
Litoria Amphibians of Queensland Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians of South Australia Amphibians described in 1867 Taxa named by Albert Günther Frogs of Australia {{Pelodryadinae-stub