White Arboreal Frog: Characteristics, Food And Habitat
The white arboreal frog is one of the largest in Australia. This amphibian is so docile that it is normal to find it inside houses, where they enter with their own feet, like pets.
Characteristics of the white arboreal frog
The white arboreal frog, also known as the Australian green frog, is an anuran amphibian. That is, unlike other amphibians, such as salamanders, it doesn’t have a tail. It lives in humid environments and its color varies according to the humidity of the environment, from brown to intense green.
This frog lives in Australia and has been introduced to certain parts of Asia and the United States. It is the largest frog in its natural habitat, as it can reach 10 centimeters in length. They are usually green in color and may have small light patches on the back. The belly and the inside of the legs are white.
The legs of the white arboreal frog are special. At the tip of each one, the finger has a small pad that allows it to grip to climb trees or walls. Its ability to adhere to surfaces is so high that they can climb through the window panes.
Like so many other amphibians, this frog has nocturnal habits. They rest during the day and start having activities when the afternoon ends. During the day, they look for dark, damp places to sleep. When the atmosphere is cooler, they start to sing and leave the caves to hunt.
White arboreal frog feeding
The white arboreal frog feeds mainly on insects and spiders, but if necessary, it looks for other small prey, such as other frogs. They like cool, moist environments, where mosquitoes and other insects are concentrated.
To hunt small prey, it sticks out its tongue where it gets stuck. However, if the prey is too large, it is introduced directly into the mouth. Since their teeth are prepared to feed in this way, they can use their forepaws to accommodate the food before swallowing it.
These frogs are often found in house windows and in water tanks. They like humid environments and several meters from the ground, where it is generally less hot. Thus, they tend to stay in the upper parts of houses.
White arboreal frog habitat
Originally, the natural habitat of the white arboreal frog occupied most of the north and east of the country. Soon, it introduced itself in other territories. Nowadays, it can be found in more places: in the northern islands of Australia and in the United States, where it has been treated as a pet.
In the wild, these frogs live in trees that surround the wettest places like lakes and rivers. They have also been seen in treeless swamps or grasslands but close to aquatic ecosystems. They are docile animals that are not afraid of human beings. They also live in fountains and places close to urbanizations.
Due to their beauty and docility, they have become domestic pets inside and outside Australia. In captivity, they can live up to 16 years, a very high number for an amphibian. It has a large diet, so it is easy to feed and needs little care.
Australian Green Frog Conservation
The Australian green frog is listed as an endangered species. Unlike many other animals on this list, it is not threatened by habitat destruction and has few predators. Only a few snakes and eagles can hunt them.
There is a fungus that threatens these frogs. Your skin must always be moist, and therefore you are prone to disease. This frog is capable of secreting antiseptic compounds that destroy them, but it is no match for the chytrid fungus.
This disease has significantly reduced the population of this and other amphibians in Australia, and treatment for it is still being sought. There is no immediate concern for this species, but for other similar amphibian species with a shorter life expectancy.
The white arboreal frog has a caricature and friendly appearance. It is chubby, with an intense green color and has adhesive pads on its paws. They are docile animals that can bond inside houses, looking for insects and spiders to feed. It is normal to find them in water tanks or fountains.
