Litoria dentata
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Litoria dentata tadpole
Copyright © Marion Anstis
Distribution map
Distribution Map of Litoria dentata
Copyright © Hal Cogger
Status
IUCN Classification:
Not listed
(International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Bioregion occurrence:
(this is not a distribution map)
State occurrence:
Links
- Bleating Tree Frog
Wildlife of Sydney Fact File on Litoria dentata
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Litoria dentata
Family: Hylidae
Common name: Bleating Tree Frog
Description: This frog is cream-brown to grey-brown on its back, with a broad dark brown band running down from the head. A dark streak runs through the eye and tympanum (tight membrane covering the entrance to the ear), and down the side of the body. The backs of the thighs, armpits and groin are usually lemon-yellow, especially in males. The belly is yellowish and granular. The skin on the back is smooth with a few tubercles (lumps). The fingers are one-third webbed, while the toes are three-quarters webbed. The toe pads are large.
Size: 45 mm
Habitat: This frog lives in coastal swamps and lagoons, rainforests, wet and dry sclerophyll forests and urban bushland. During the day it often hides beneath stones and bark.
Call: A high pitched bleat - sometimes described as painful in pitch and volume.Call available in 
Windows Media or 
Quicktime audio. Recording Copyright © David Stewart.
Breeding: Males call in spring and summer either from trees, on the ground, in low plants or while in the water.
Eggs: Once the eggs are fertilised the female kicks the water with her back legs dispersing the eggs. They spread out and sink, landing on the substrate.
Tadpoles: Are medium sized and are usually dark brown in colour. These tadpoles feed throughout the water column, but are often seen at the surface. They have also been observed swimming in groups.
Similar species: This frog can be distinguished from Litoria rubella by its distribution and the broad band down its back.
Conservation Information
Suspected threatening processes
- Habitat modification (e.g. vegetation clearing, invasive weeds)
Population size: An estimate of the total number of adults present in the species entire range is >50000 individuals. Some factors affecting population size and distribution are known, but 1 or more major factors are unknown.
Population trend in Australia over the past 50 years: Population trend unknown; no information on habitat changes.
Knowledge of population trend in Australia: Monitored locally.
Population concentration: Not known to concentrate or exist in discrete locations. (e.g. the number of sites in which individuals group together either seasonally, such as breeding sites, or they may occupy discrete habitat patches within the broader landscape, such as discrete water bodies or drainage units.)
Ongoing management activities in Australia: None directed primarily at the taxon.
Reproductive potential for recovery: The average number of eggs deposited per adult female per year is 201-1000 eggs/female/year. Minimum age at which females are known or suspected to first reproduce is <2 years.
Range size in Australia: The size of the geographic area over which the taxon is distributed: 1001-80000 km² (up to 1% area of Australia or about the area of Tasmania).
Distribution trend: Area occupied has declined by < 25%. (This is an estimate of change in the portion of the total range that is occupied or utilised; it may not equal the change in total range.)
Knowledge of distribution in Australia: Distribution is well known and occurrence can be accurately predicted throughout the range.
References
Anstis, M. 2002. Tadpoles of South-eastern Australia. Reed New Holland: Sydney.
Barker, J., G.C. Grigg and M.J. Tyler. 1995. A Field Guide to Australian Frogs. Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton.
Cogger, H.G. 2000. Reptiles and amphibians of Australia. Reed Books: Sydney.
Robinson, M. 2002. A Field Guide to Frogs of Australia. Australian Museum/Reed New Holland: Sydney.