White's Tree Frog

White's tree frog (Pelodryas caerulea, also called the Australian green tree frog or dumpy tree frog) is a plump, rather large tree frog. It can reach around 10 cm or more, and up to 11.5 cm, with fully grown females slightly larger than males.

Its colour ranges from brown or greyish-green to bright emerald green, depending on temperature and surroundings. It sometimes has small, irregular white spots on its back. It has a golden iris with a horizontal slit pupil, a fatty ridge over the eye and large round sticky discs on its fingers and toes for climbing. The belly is creamy-white and rough in texture.

Males have a wrinkled vocal sac under the throat that can be grey to yellow, while a female's throat is white with tauter skin. Selective breeding in captivity has produced blue irises, extra white spots and "honey" tones from mauve to pale yellow.

It is one of the most popular pet frogs in the world, valued for its docile nature and long life.

White's tree frog is native to northern and eastern Australia and the lowlands of New Guinea, mostly in warm, wet climates. It belongs to the family Pelodryadidae, found only in Australia and New Guinea.

It was the first Australian frog to be scientifically described, by John White in 1790, which gave it its common name. The specimens sent to England were damaged by preservative and looked blue, so it was first called the blue frog. The Latin name caerulea, meaning blue, stuck even though the living frog is green.

A 2020 study showed it is really a species complex that includes newly identified species such as Pelodryas mira from New Guinea.

It has been introduced to Florida, possibly through the pet trade, and to New Zealand in 1897, 1899 and the 1940s, though the New Zealand population is believed to have died out.

White's tree frogs are very docile and unafraid of humans. They are nocturnal, coming out in the early evening to call and hunt, and sleeping by day in cool, dark, moist spots such as tree holes or rock crevices. They have sometimes been seen sleeping in clumps, possibly to save moisture.

The call is a low, slow brawk-brawk-brawk. They are particularly vocal after rain. When in danger they scream to scare off a foe, and they squeak when touched.

In the wild they eat mainly insects such as moths, cockroaches and locusts, plus spiders, and sometimes smaller frogs or even small mammals. Their teeth cannot cut up food, so prey must fit in the mouth. They use a sticky tongue for small prey and pounce on larger items.

In dry spells they can wrap themselves in a cocoon of shed skin and mucus to avoid drying out. Their skin makes a waxy coating that reduces water loss.

White's tree frogs are known to be strongly resistant to disease, and are one of the easier pet frogs to maintain. Their skin secretions have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

One problem commonly linked with keeping them as pets is overfeeding, as they tend to become obese if overfed. Captive frogs usually need little effort to catch food, so they tend to put on weight, laying down fat over the head and body that gives a "dumpy" look.

Some have been found infected with the chytrid fungus, which causes the fatal amphibian disease chytridiomycosis, although their skin secretions are protective against it. Rover fireflies of the genus Photinus are poisonous to them.

Average lifespan in captivity is about 16 years, and some have lived over 20 years.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

Why is it called White's tree frog?

It is named after John White, who first described it in 1790. It is also called the Australian green tree frog and the dumpy tree frog.

How long do White's tree frogs live?

About 16 years on average in captivity. Some have lived for more than 20 years, which is long for a frog.

Does it make a good pet?

It is one of the most popular pet frogs worldwide. It is docile, long-lived, has a broad diet and strong disease resistance, and is considered one of the easier frogs to keep.

Why is it called the dumpy tree frog?

An overweight frog lays down fat over its head and body, giving a dumpy look. Captive frogs tend to become obese because they use little energy to catch food.

When is it awake and is it noisy?

It is nocturnal, active from early evening. Its call is a low brawk-brawk-brawk, and it is particularly vocal after rain.

Is it a rare species?

No. It is common and rated as least concern, with a stable population.

The original specimen described in 1790 was destroyed when the Hunterian Museum in London was bombed in World War II.

Its skin secretions contain peptides called caerins, and several peptides from its skin secretions have been found to destroy HIV without harming healthy T cells.

It seems able to find its way home from a considerable distance after being moved.

In the wild it often lives near people, turning up on windowsills at night to eat insects drawn by the light, and sometimes in gutters and downpipes, which can amplify its calls.

Its toe pads have been studied by researchers to understand how animals grip wet surfaces.