Striped marsh frog
| Striped Marsh Frog | |
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| Species: | L. peronii
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| Binomial name | |
| Limnodynastes peronii | |
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| Striped Marsh Frog range. | |
The Striped Marsh Frog or Brown-striped Frog (Limnodynastes peronii) is a predominantly aquatic frog native to eastern Australia. It is distributed from North Queensland, through all of coastal New South Wales, Southern Victoria to eastern South Australia and Northern Tasmania.
Physical description
This frog reaches about 65 mm in length. They are a shade of brown on the dorsal surface. This colour can be light or dark; they can also be a red-brown on the dorsal surface. There are distinct darker stripes running down the frogs back (giving this species it name), there is normally a paler mid-dorsal stripe running down the back. There is a black "mask" that runs from the nostril, through the eye and down to the shoulder. This "mask" is followed by a thick light golden line that runs underneth the "mask" and terminates at the end of the mouth. Breeding males develop thick arms, these are used in "wrestling" matches with other frogs, the throat of males is yellow in colour. The belly is white.
Ecology and behaviour
This species is the most frequently encountered frog on the east coast. They are normally the first frog to colonise a garden frog pond and are often victims of backyard swimming pools. They will inhabit ponds, roadside ditches, creeks, dams, flooded areas and any other available water body. They are tolerant of polluted water. Males call while floating in water from a hidden area in vegetation. They make a "tok" call, similar to a hen clucking, during all months of the year (particularly spring-autumn). This call is familiar to anyone in Sydney who has a garden pond. Eggs are laid in a foamy nest and tadpoles can take 8–12 months to develop.
Although this species is very common in coastal NSW, it is not common in Tasmania and listed as rare.
As a pet
It is kept as a pet[1], in Australia this animal may be kept in captivity with the appropriate permit.
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.
- Frogs of Australia
- Frog and Tadpole Study Group
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, New South Wales: Amphibian Keeper's Licence: Species Lists
References
- ^ Mark Davidson. 2005. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications. ISBN 0-975820-00-1
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern