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Peron’s Tree Frog (Litoria peronii) is also known as the Emerald Spotted Tree Frog, Laughing Tree Frog and Maniacal Cackle Frog. The last two names refer to its distinctive call.
Peron’s Tree Frog is between 45 to 75 millimetres long. This makes this species one of Australia’s largest native frogs. This does not include the introduced and obnoxious Cane Toad.
Peron’s Tree Frog is a species that comes in a variety of skin colours from very dark to light shades.
They usually have bright yellow and black mottling on their groins, backs of thighs and armpits. They may have indistinct emerald green flecks on the back. They all have one distinctive feature. Their eyes have crossed-shaped pupils (see image).
Peron’s Tree Frog is found in the eastern parts of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria as well as areas of South Australia.
They occupy a variety of habitats including wet and dry forests, woodlands, shrub lands and open areas. They are often found some distance from water and are very agile climbers because of the sucker-like toe pads.
Peron’s Tree Frogs are very common in our cold climate garden. They inhabit our propagating structure and we have found them in one of water tanks. This has necessitated a vertical climb of at least three metres. On rare occasions they come inside.
The picture shows a specimen on our bed. Its colours match the quilt. A relative had a specimen living in her letter box for a number of weeks.
We have no trouble identifying this large frog because of its cross-shaped pupils.