The growling grass frog (''Ranoidea raniformis''), also commonly known as the southern bell frog, warty swamp frog and erroneously as the green frog, is a species of ground-dwelling tree frog native to southeastern Australia, ranging from southern

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 ...

along the

Murray River The Murray River (in South Australia: River Murray; Ngarrindjeri language, Ngarrindjeri: ''Millewa'', Yorta Yorta language, Yorta Yorta: ''Dhungala'' or ''Tongala'') is a river in Southeastern Australia. It is List of rivers of Australia, Aust ...

though

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India * Victoria (state), a state of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a provincial capital * Victoria, Seychelles, the capi ...

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 ...

, with populations through

Tasmania Tasmania (; palawa kani: ''Lutruwita'') is an island States and territories of Australia, state of Australia. It is located to the south of the Mainland Australia, Australian mainland, and is separated from it by the Bass Strait. The sta ...

. This species' common names vary between states; the name southern bell frog applies in New South Wales and South Australia, growling grass frog in Victoria, and green and gold frog in

. This species has been introduced to New Zealand.

Description

The growling grass frog is a very large, ground-dwelling tree frog up to 10 cm (almost 4 in) from snout to

vent Vent or vents may refer to: Science and technology Biology *Vent, the cloaca region of an animal *Vent DNA polymerase, a thermostable DNA polymerase Geology *Hydrothermal vent, a fissure in a planet's surface from which geothermally heated water ...

. It is a mottled bright green and bronze colour above, often with dark brown enameled bumps. It has a pale cream underside, with a faint cobbling pattern. A pale stripe runs from the side of the head down the flanks as a

skin fold Skin folds or skinfolds are areas of skin that are naturally folded. Many skin folds are distinct, heritable anatomical features, and may be used for identification of animal species, while others are non-specific and may be produced either by in ...

. The thighs are blue-green in colour. There are a series of shallow bumps over its back. This frog closely resembles the

green and golden bell frog The green and golden bell frog (''Ranoidea aurea''), also named the green bell frog, green and golden swamp frog and green frog, is a species of ground-dwelling tree frog native to eastern Australia. Despite its classification and climbing abi ...

(''Ranoidea aurea''), but is distinguished by the shallow bumps on its back, a shorter call, and a slightly different head and snout shape. The tympanum is visible in these frogs. The

tadpoles A tadpole or polliwog (also spelled pollywog) is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-li ...

are also very large (up to 9.5 cm or 3.7 in). The tadpoles often have a coppery

pigment A pigment is a powder used to add or alter color or change visual appearance. Pigments are completely or nearly solubility, insoluble and reactivity (chemistry), chemically unreactive in water or another medium; in contrast, dyes are colored sub ...

along their sides and an

iridescent Iridescence (also known as goniochromism) is the phenomenon of certain surfaces that appear gradually to change colour as the angle of view or the angle of illumination changes. Iridescence is caused by wave interference of light in microstruc ...

green sheen along their backbones.

Ecology and behaviour

This species is associated with large swamps, permanent dam impoundments, ponds, and lakes (particularly ones with reeds) in woodland, shrubland, open and coastal areas. This frog is an agile climber, but is most often found among dense reeds or along swampy grasslands. It hunts and basks in the sun during the day. Growling grass frogs reportedly hunt other frogs by zoning into the sound of their calls. The call is a three part moaning "craw-ork ar-ar", rising and then falling in tone (described as the sound of a duck or goose being strangled). The males develop black, rough

nuptial pad A nuptial pad (also known as thumb pad, or nuptial excrescence) is a secondary sex characteristic present on some mature male frogs and salamanders. Triggered by androgen hormones, this breeding gland (a type of mucous gland) appears as a spike ...

s on their thumbs during the breeding season, which occurs during spring through to late summer. Females have the ability to hiss when threatened. The

eggs An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo begins to develop. Egg, EGG or eggs may also refer to: Biology * Egg cell, the female reproductive cell (gamete) in oogamous organisms Food * Eggs as food Places * Egg, Austria * Egg, Switzerland ...

(up to several thousand) are distributed in a loose pile. The tadpole stage lasts approximately 12 weeks. This frog has declined across much of its

range Range may refer to: Geography * Range (geographic), a chain of hills or mountains; a somewhat linear, complex mountainous or hilly area (cordillera, sierra) ** Mountain range, a group of mountains bordered by lowlands * Range, a term used to i ...

and has disappeared altogether from some regions (such as the Australian Capital Territory and the lowest 200 KM of the River Murray). Several populations along the River Murray have been stabilised through the regular managed delivery of water to breeding locations (for example in the Lower Murrumbidgee catchment in New South Wales and the Riverland region of South Australia). Frogs are regularly recorded in suburban Melbourne and Geelong, with similar records from regional cities. Animals released from the pet trade established in the Adelaide Hills in the 1990s but this population is now extinct.

Distribution

The species is native to southeastern Australia, and can also be found in Tasmania. The species was introduced to New Zealand in 1867 by the Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, and has since become widely distributed across both the

North Island The North Island ( , 'the fish of Māui', historically New Ulster) is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, islands of New Zealand, separated from the larger but less populous South Island by Cook Strait. With an area of , it is the List ...

and

South Island The South Island ( , 'the waters of Pounamu, Greenstone') is the largest of the three major islands of New Zealand by surface area, the others being the smaller but more populous North Island and Stewart Island. It is bordered to the north by ...

As a pet

It is kept as a pet; in Australia, this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.

References

*Robinson, M. 2002. ''A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia''. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney. *Antsis, M. 2002. ''Tadpoles of South Eastern Australia''
Frogs of Australia
-Frog call available here.
Frog Australia NetworkArticle Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Growling Grass FrogDepartment of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1849284 Litoria Amphibians of South Australia Amphibians of New South Wales Amphibians of the Australian Capital Territory Amphibians of Victoria (state) Amphibians of Tasmania Endangered fauna of Australia Amphibians described in 1867 Frogs of Australia Amphibians of New Zealand