Amphibian profile

Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea)

Litoria caerulea

Database risk label: LOW
Location: Northern & Eastern Australia
Database size: 8-11cm

The Green Tree Frog is a large, robust Australian tree frog also known as the common green treefrog or White’s treefrog. The Queensland Government’s species record treats Litoria caerulea as the accepted scientific name, and the Australian Museum places it in the tree-frog family Hylidae. [1] [2] It is a familiar frog around some homes and public buildings, but familiarity should not become an assumption that every large green frog is this species.

This is a species-level profile: its observations and advice apply to Litoria caerulea, not to every Australian frog with green colouring. In particular, colour, a location near a light, or a frog in a bathroom can be useful clues but are not conclusive identification on their own. [1] [3]

Identification: useful features and their limits

Adults are large by Australian frog standards. The Australian Museum describes a green back that may carry small white spots, a white belly, a horizontal pupil and a gold iris; it reports body length to 11 cm. Fingers and toes have large discs, while the toes are extensively webbed. [1] Queensland’s account likewise describes a large, robust frog with large flat discs that aid climbing and notes that females can grow larger than males. [3]

Those features are best treated as a combination, rather than a checklist that guarantees an identification. Colour varies across the species: the Australian Museum notes blue-green individuals inland in New South Wales and yellow on the fingers, toes, webbing and limb undersides in some northern populations. [1] The Western Australian Museum also describes a broad body, short limbs and very large expanded toe and finger discs. [4]

There are genuine look-alikes in parts of its range. The Australian Museum specifically lists the Cave-dwelling Tree Frog (Litoria cavernicola), Red-eyed Tree Frog (Litoria chloris) and Magnificent Tree Frog (Litoria splendida) as similar species. It distinguishes them by, respectively, the lack of a head-side skin fold, a red rather than gold iris, and prominent glands on the head and above the shoulders plus white or yellow spots. [1] A photo that does not show these features clearly should remain an uncertain frog identification. A recorded call can add useful evidence: Queensland describes the male’s call as a low, repetitive “crawk-crawk-crawk”, while FrogID recordings are reviewed by Australian Museum frog-call experts. [3] [7]

Australian range and habitat

Within Australia, the Australian Museum records the species from northern Western Australia, the northern Northern Territory, north-eastern South Australia, and most of Queensland and New South Wales. [1] The Western Australian Museum places it in the Kimberley and describes the range continuing east and south through the northern Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. [4] These are broad occurrence descriptions, not a guarantee that the species is present at every site within those jurisdictions.

It uses a wide variety of environments. Queensland’s species account says it occurs from desert to coastal swamps and dry vine thickets, but not dense tropical rainforest. In dry periods it shelters under bark, in tree hollows, in and under logs, and under rocks. [3] The Western Australian Museum also records use of tree hollows and rock crevices. [4]

Green Tree Frogs can occur close to people. Queensland lists suburban gardens, bathrooms, toilets and drain pipes among places where the species is sometimes found, and says it is commonly attracted to lights. [3] That does not mean a frog in a building is automatically a Green Tree Frog: it is one reason to slow down, observe from a respectful distance and use several identification features.

Ecology and behaviour

Like many frogs, Green Tree Frogs are often less conspicuous by day. Queensland reports that they hide in hollows, crevices and plants during daylight, then emerge at night to feed; insects are a documented food, although the account notes a broader diet. [3] The Western Australian Museum describes a moisture-conserving behaviour in which the frog wipes a waxy secretion over its body, tucks in its limbs and lowers its chin during the day. [4]

Breeding activity is tied to water and season. Queensland records breeding in permanent pools, summer-filled waterholes and swamps, with timing from September to March depending on heavy rain and a usual wet-season peak between December and February. Males call at night during the breeding season, using an inflatable throat pouch to project the call. [3] The Australian Museum adds that eggs are laid in floating clusters in flooded ditches and small temporary ponds. Its account says tadpoles are dusky brown, use all levels of the water body and take at least a month to develop into frogs, with slower development possible in colder areas. [1]

These details explain why a calling frog may be heard near water after rain, and why the same animal may disappear into a sheltered crevice during the day. They do not make a particular pond, garden or structure a confirmed breeding site; only an appropriate record or survey can establish that.

Safer encounters around homes and outdoors

The lowest-impact encounter is an observational one. Keep distance, let the frog choose where it rests, and photograph or listen without touching it. The Commonwealth frog-hygiene protocol states that handling can spread pathogens among frogs and can stress them, making them more susceptible to infection; it says capture, handling and housing of wild amphibians should be minimised or avoided where possible. [5]

This matters beyond one animal. Australian frogs have thin, permeable skin and are sensitive to environmental change; the NSW Government explains that chemicals from air and water can be absorbed through the skin. [6] The national hygiene guidance was developed because disease transmission and spread are a serious concern for Australian amphibians, including chytridiomycosis caused by amphibian chytrid fungus. [5]

Accordingly, do not collect, handle, move or attempt to keep a wild frog encountered in a garden, bathroom, campsite or bush setting. If the frog is in a safe place, leave it undisturbed. If its welfare appears compromised or a situation is beyond simple observation, seek advice from the relevant state or territory wildlife authority or a licensed local wildlife service rather than attempting an intervention yourself.

A call recording is a constructive, non-contact way to contribute an observation. FrogID is an Australian Museum citizen-science project that enables people to record frog calls with a smartphone, and its submissions are listened to by frog-call experts. [7] A recorded call may help document what is present while retaining the necessary identification caution.

Medical relevance

The authoritative species accounts used here describe identification, habitat, breeding and frog-health hygiene; they do not provide a species-specific human first-aid protocol for Litoria caerulea. This profile therefore does not substitute general or speculative medical advice for an official species-specific response. The practical health-relevant action supported by the national frog guidance is to avoid unnecessary contact, because handling can stress frogs and contribute to pathogen spread between them. [5]

Frequently asked questions

Is a green frog with gold eyes definitely a Green Tree Frog?

No. A green back, gold iris and large climbing discs are useful features of Litoria caerulea, but colour varies and similar Litoria species occur in parts of the range. Use several visible features and, where possible, a call recording rather than relying on colour alone. [1] [3]

Where in Australia might I see one?

The documented Australian range includes northern WA and NT, north-eastern SA, and most of Queensland and NSW. The species occupies settings from deserts to coastal swamps, excluding dense tropical rainforest according to the Queensland Government account. [1] [3] [4]

Why might one appear near a house or outdoor light?

Queensland notes that the species is sometimes found in suburban gardens, bathrooms, toilets and drain pipes, and is commonly attracted to lights. It also uses sheltered places such as hollows and crevices during dry or daylight periods. [3] [4]

When are Green Tree Frogs most likely to call?

Males call at night in the breeding season. Queensland gives a September-to-March breeding window that depends on heavy rain, usually peaking in the wet season, while the Western Australian Museum records wet-season mating from November to March. [3] [4]

What should I do if I find one?

Observe without touching, collecting or moving it. The Commonwealth frog-hygiene protocol says capture and handling of wild amphibians should be minimised or avoided where possible because handling can spread pathogens and stress frogs. A non-contact call recording can be submitted through FrogID if appropriate. [5] [7]

References

Last reviewed: 24 October 2026. This is general information, not a substitute for medical care.