Main Characteristics

White Lipped Tree Frogs are the largest tree frog in the world. They reach lengths between 10 and 14 cms (4 - 5.5 inches) and they can live for over 10 years in the wild.

They are bright green or brown in colour and they have a lighter coloured underside. They have a distinctive white stripe that runs along their lower lip, extending to their shoulder and they have a white stripe that runs along the back of their legs that extends to the toe, although it is pinkish in colour on breeding males. They have very large eyes with horizontal pupils.

The toes of White Lipped Tree Frogs are completely webbed and their fingers are partially webbed. They have large pads on their fingers and toes that assist them while climbing. They are agile when moving among vegetation but do not move as well on the ground.

The have a loud, harsh, barking type call but when they are distressed they make a cat-like "mew" sound.

Habitat

White Lipped Tree Frogs are found in gardens, cultivated areas and rainforests of New Guinea and Northern Australia. They spend most of their time up in the trees and are active at night.

Diet

White Lipped Tree Frogs feed on insects and other invertebrates.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in spring and summer, usually after rain. Males call to females from perches 3 - 4 m (9.8 - 13.1 ft) above the ground, near to ponds or still bodies of water.

Approximately 400 - 4,000 eggs are laid in clumps in water. The tadpoles are dark brown in colour and they have a cream stripe that runs along each side of them. The tadpoles feed on aquatic plants and algae and when they have metamorphosed into frogs they leave the water and make their way up into the trees.

Interesting Facts

White Lipped Tree Frogs are also known as:
Giant Tree Frog
Indonesian Giant Green Tree Frog

White Lipped Tree Frogs are the largest tree frog in the world and they are the largest frog in Australia.