Green Bell Frog, Litoria aurea

Detailed introduction

The Green and Golden Bell Frog ( Litoria aurea ) is a brightly colored, medium-sized native Australian frog. Originally widely distributed in the wetlands and ponds of southeastern Australia, it was one of the most representative colorful frogs in the region. However, due to habitat loss, disease, and invasive species, its wild population has significantly declined.

Classification and nomenclature

• Common Chinese names: Green Bell Frog, Green Golden Bell Frog (both are translations of the English name)

• English name: Green and Golden Bell Frog

• Scientific name: Litoria aurea

• Family and genus: Tree frogs → Litoria

Appearance and Identification Features

The green bell frog is a very striking frog with intense colors and distinct patterns:

• Size: Adults are generally about 5-8 cm long. Females are usually slightly larger than males, and they are considered medium to large tree frogs.

• Back color: The back is mainly bright grass green, often mixed with gold or bronze spots and stripes;

• Sides and markings: Brown or dark stripes are often found on the sides of the body, from behind the eyes to the sides of the body, interspersed with golden spots.

• Underside: The abdomen is mostly cream or yellow, while the throat is often a deeper yellow in calling male frogs;

• Skin texture: The skin on the back is relatively smooth, but a few small warts are visible;

• Limbs: The limbs are strong, the hind limbs are relatively long, the hind feet have obvious webbing between the toes, and the fingers and toes have suction cups, which is conducive to movement near plants and water surfaces.

The green and gold body color, the distinct dark stripes on the sides, and the yellow underside are typical characteristics for identifying the Green Bell Frog in the wild.

Distribution range and habitat

The green bell frog is a species endemic to southeastern Australia .

• Historically, they were widely distributed in the coastal plains and inland lowland wetlands of New South Wales, Victoria, and other states.

• Many of the original populations have now disappeared or shrunk significantly, with only relatively stable populations remaining in some wetlands, protected areas and artificial water bodies.

It prefers warm, sunny, shallow wetlands:

• Habitats include marshes, reed beds, farmland dams, lake edges, and slow-flowing canals;

• They prefer environments with open water surfaces and floating or aquatic plants, which provide a good place to sunbathe and hide.

• Sometimes artificial water bodies in urban and industrial areas are also utilized, such as abandoned brick pits, water treatment ponds, and landscape ponds.

Lifestyle

The green bell frog is a semi-aquatic tree frog that is very active both in water and on land.

• During the day, they often bask in the sun on rocks, dead wood, or aquatic plants at the edge of the water.

• When startled, it will quickly jump into the water to escape;

• They are active at night in waterside vegetation, along the shore, and in shallow waters, foraging for small invertebrates.

feeding habits

The green bell frog is carnivorous, primarily feeding on various small animals.

• Mosquitoes, moths, and other flying insects;

• Beetles, crickets, ants, and insects that live near water;

• They may occasionally prey on small frogs and other palatable small vertebrates.

They typically capture their prey by moving slowly or waiting for it to approach, then suddenly extending their sticky tongues.

Vocalizations and Reproductive Behavior

The rhythmic call of the green bell frog is one of the "background sounds" in many wetlands:

• During the breeding season, male frogs emit loud, slightly metallic "crawk… crawk…" or "tok… tok…" sounds.

• The calls are mostly made at dusk and night, originating from vegetation, rocks, or floating objects near the water;

• When multiple male frogs call at the same time, they create a continuous chorus.

Reproduction is typically associated with warm, rainy seasons:

• Female frogs lay their eggs in shallow waters that are still or have slow-moving flow. The egg masses are mostly attached to aquatic plants or sink into shallow water.

• Tadpoles develop in water and are sensitive to water quality and temperature, requiring sufficient dissolved oxygen and a suitable water level.

• After the tadpoles complete their metamorphosis, they leave the water and begin a lifestyle dominated by waterside and wetland vegetation.

Protecting the status quo and threats

The green bell frog is assessed as Endangered (EN) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with populations in many historical distribution areas significantly reduced or disappeared.

The main threats include:

• Wetlands are being filled in, drained, or converted into farmland and urban land, resulting in severe habitat loss and fragmentation.

• Invasive species such as alien fish and bullfrogs that prey on tadpoles and tadpoles;

• Pollutants such as pesticides and heavy metals enter water bodies, affecting the survival of eggs, tadpoles, and adult frogs;

• The spread of fungal chytriditis and other diseases;

• Climate change is causing extreme droughts and changes in rainfall patterns, which further affect the quantity and stability of suitable wetlands.

Currently, some regions are helping the green bell frog population recover by establishing protected areas, preserving and restoring wetlands, and building suitable artificial breeding and release projects.