Eastern dwarf tree frog, Litoria fallax

Detailed introduction

The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog ( Litoria fallax , sometimes written as Ranoidea fallax ) is a small, bright green tree frog native to Australia. It belongs to the Australian tree frog family. Widely distributed along the eastern coast and inland of Australia, it is one of the most common small tree frogs found in urban gardens, ponds, and wetlands.

Classification and nomenclature

• Commonly used Chinese translations: Eastern dwarf tree frog, Eastern short tree frog (both are common translations, and there is currently no completely unified Chinese name).

• English name: Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog

• Scientific name: Litoria fallax (also known as Ranoidea fallax )

• Family and genus: Australian tree frogs → traditionally classified under the genus Litoria

Appearance and Identification Features

The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog is small in size, but its bright colors give it a "tropical" feel.

• Size: Adults are typically about 2–3 cm in length, making them a typical small tree frog;

• Body color: The back is mainly bright green, sometimes with a slight yellowish-green or olive green tinge. Some individuals have narrow light-colored stripes or irregular spots on their backs.

• Lateral stripes: Light brown or gold stripes extending from the snout along the back of the eye toward the side of the body are common and are a major feature for identification in the wild.

• Abdomen: The abdomen is mostly white or cream-colored, and the throat may have slightly light-colored spots;

• Fingertip structure: The tips of the fingers and toes have obvious circular suction cups, and there is a certain degree of webbing between the toes, which is conducive to climbing on aquatic plants, reeds and small shrubs;

• Overall appearance: Light and slender body, typical "tree frog body shape", excellent camouflage effect in green vegetation.

If you see a small, bright green tree frog perched on reeds or leaves in a city garden or by a pond, it is very likely an Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog.

Distribution range and habitat

The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog is a common tree frog in eastern and northeastern Australia .

• They are distributed along the east coast from Queensland, through New South Wales to parts of Victoria;

• It appears not only in natural wetlands, but also extensively in urban and agricultural environments.

They prefer warm, humid environments with abundant vegetation and the presence of water.

• Natural habitats include marshes, lake and riverbanks, wetland meadows, reed beds and forest edge puddles;

• In areas of human activity, they are commonly found in garden ponds, farmland irrigation ditches, roadside ditches, artificial wetlands, and urban parks;

• As long as there is a long-term or seasonal still/slow-flowing body of water and enough herbaceous and aquatic plants, it is often suitable for them to settle.

Habits and calls

The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog is a small , nocturnal frog that relies heavily on water and vegetation .

• During the day, they mostly inhabit grassy areas, reed leaves, or shrubs near water, and sometimes hide on the back of leaves, in crevices, and in man-made structures.

• They come out to move and forage at dusk and night, and are most active in summer and after rain.

• During the breeding season, male frogs call out at the edge of the water, on floating leaves, or on reeds. Their calls are a series of short and clear "trik… trik… trik…" or "creek… creek…" sounds, which often form a dense "nocturnal frog chorus".

In many residential areas of Dong'ao, you can hear the clear calls of these small tree frogs on summer nights, as long as there is a small pond or water tank nearby.

feeding habits

The Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog primarily feeds on various small invertebrates:

• Flying insects such as mosquitoes, small flying insects, and moths;

• Insects on land or plants, such as ants, small beetles, and aphids;

• Small spiders and other arthropods that inhabit leaves and stems.

They mostly move slowly among the vegetation or wait for prey to approach, using their keen eyesight to lock onto their target before quickly extending their sticky tongues to capture it.

Reproduction and Development

The reproduction of the Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog is closely related to temperature and rainfall:

• The breeding season mostly occurs in warm and humid seasons, especially in summer and after rain;

• Male frogs gather at the edge of the water and call out to attract female frogs.

• Female frogs lay their eggs in still or slow-moving water. The eggs are often found in small clusters or thin layers floating on the surface or attached to aquatic plants.

• Tadpoles develop in water and are quite sensitive to water temperature and quality. It is especially important for them to complete their metamorphosis before the temporary water body dries up.

• After metamorphosis, the young frogs will climb onto the shore and into the grass, gradually transitioning to an arboreal and herbaceous lifestyle.

Protecting the status quo and threats

The Eastern Pygmy Tree Frog is currently assessed as Least Concern (LC) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, indicating that it is widely distributed, its population is generally stable, and it remains very common in many areas.

However, some local populations may still face some pressure:

• Wetland reclamation, riverbed hardening, and pond clearing have led to a reduction in small water bodies and aquatic plants;

• Pesticides and urban pollutants enter water bodies, affecting the health of tadpoles and adult frogs;

• The introduction of alien fish and aquatic predators increases the risk of tadpoles being preyed upon.

Preserving small ponds in cities and suburbs, planting native aquatic and riparian plants, and reducing the use of chemical pesticides will not only benefit the Eastern Pygmy Tree Frog but also help many native amphibian species.