Growling Grass Frog

Photo(s): 
Growling Grass Frog
Growling Grass Frog
Growling Grass Frog
Growling Grass Frog

Growling Grass Frog

Litoria raniformis


Breeding season: Spring and early summer. Females lay 1,900-3,900 pigmented eggs in a floating jelly raft which sinks soon after. Males generally call while floating in open water.


Details Description
Type
Amphibian
Group
Frog - Tree Frog
Other Common Names
Southern Bell Frog, Golden Bell Frog, Warty Bell Frog
Identifying Characteristics

Male 55-65 mm. Female 60-104 mm. A large warty species ususally with a pale mid-dorsal stripe and a paler dorso-lateral fold from eye to groin.

Distinctive Markings

Adults vary from bright green to brown with brown or golden blotches on a warty back. Elongated snout and distinct tympanum.

Diet

Carnivore. Adults feed on crickets, cicadas, beetles, moths, caterpillars, other invertebrates, small frogs and fish.

Habitat

Well vegetated ditches, dams and swamps

Native Status
Native to Australia
Sounds
The identifying call is a repeated long growl "crawark-crawark-crok-crok".
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amphibia
Order
Anura
Family
Hylidae
Genus
Litoria
Species
raniformis
Growling Grass Frog
Once common and widespread acoss south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. Now endangered in Victoria.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Conservation Status
DEPI Advisory List
Endangered
FFG Act
Listed as threatened
EPBC Act
Vulnerable

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.

Audio samples: