Frog Identification Page

FROG INDEX

Ratchet Frog	Giant Burrowing Frog	Long-footed Frog	Wailing Frog	Marbled Frog
Carpenter Frog	Northern Dwarf Tree Frog	Green Tree Frog	Rock Frog	Bumpy Rocket Frog
Rockhole Frog	Striped Rocket Frog	Pale Frog	Northern Laughing Tree Frog	Little Red Tree Frog
Splendid Tree Frog	Chattering Rock Frog	Northern Burrowing Frog	Northern Spadefoot Toad	Desert Spadefoot
Weigels Spadefoot	Ornate Burrowing Frog	Northern Toadlet	Male Cane Toad	Female Cane Toad
Juvenile Cane Toad	Cane Toad Metamorph	Cane Toad Metamorph	Cane Toad Tadpole	Cane Toad Eggs

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Ratchet Frog

FROG 1

© Katrina Nissen

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Ratchet Frog, Bilingua Froglet
Crinia bilingua
Size: 16–23 mm, small
Distinguishing features: Brown back with darker blotches and/or stripes and/or streaks, often with raised, longitudinal ridges on back, limbs with dark brown bands

Habitat: Marginal vegetation, swamps and creeks
Similar species:Uperoleia
Call : High pitched rattle or clicking sound like mechanical tension wrench
http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

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Giant Burrowing Frog

FROG 2

© Katrina Nissen

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Giant Burrowing Frog, Giant Frog
Cyclorana australis
Size: 71–102 mm, large
Distinguishing features: Pale grey to brown above, occasionally with mottled dark or green patterning; large, triangular head with broad dark stripe on either side of face; two longitudinal skin folds along sides of body; fingers unwebbed and slight webbing between toes

Habitat: Burrowing, grasslands and open woodlands
Call: “ Unk…Unk…Unk”. Similar to magpie goose call
Fact: Most common frog to be mistaken for a Cane Toad http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

Long-footed Frog

FROG 3

© Paul Doughty

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Long-footed Frog
Cyclorana longipes
Size: 36–55 mm, small to medium
Distinguishing features: Pale fawn to grey back with large, dark brown blotches and markings; opposed first finger; fingers unwebbed and toes about half webbed
Habitat: Savannah woodland and open grassland

Similar species:L. convexiusculus
Call: Resembles mooing of cattle

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au .......http://www.canetoads.com.au

Wailing Frog

FROG 6

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Wailing Frog
Cyclorana vagitus
Size: Up to 5 cm
Distinguishing features: Stout frog with short legs and rough skin. Pale grey with dark grey or green markings. Fingers are not webbed, toes are half webbed. There are large bumps (tubercles) on the inner toes (metatarsals)

Habitat: Open grassy plains
Call: Wailing

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ......http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Marbled Frog

FROG 5

© Katrina Nissen

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Marbled Frog
Limnodynastes convexiusculus
Size: 46–61 mm, medium to large
Distinguishing features: Squat-bodied frog; slightly pointed snout; pale olive back with scattered darker blotches, often raised to form low bumpy warts (tubercles); pale backbone stripe; prominent pale mouth gland (labial) at angle of mouth

Habitat: Low-lying areas of seasonal flooding and swamp areas with long grass
Similar species : O. ornatus, C. longipes
Call: Single note “Unk”, repeated sporadically
http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

Carpenter Frog

FROG 6

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Carpenter Frog, Woodworker Frog
Limnodynastes lignarius
Size: 4.3–6.2 cm
Distinguishing features: Irregularly marked dull grey to dark olive; red/cream tinge to blotches; extremely large external ear (tympanum); unwebbed fingers and toes

Habitat: Strictly associated with rocky areas
Call: Repeated single soft tap, resembling a piece of timber being struck with a hammer

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ......http://www.canetoads.com.au

Northern Dwarf Tree Frog

FROG 7

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Northern Dwarf Tree Frog
Litoria bicolor
Size: 23–29 mm, small
Distinguishing features: Plain green to bronze back, through to green with bronze stripes; distinct triangular head and flattened body; narrow brown and white stripe on each side of head and body,

inside of limbs orange; fully webbed toes and slight webbing in fingers
Habitat: Common in riparian areas, found primarily in reeds and marshes, also found in buildings
Call: High, penetrating call resembling “reek, reek, reek”

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Green Tree Frog

FROG 8

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Green Tree Frog
Litoria caerulea
Size: 60–110 mm, large
Distinguishing features: Olive to green back; inside of thighs and flanks pale yellow to red/brown; large distinct fold of skin partially covering ears; toes fully webbed; fingers partially webbed

Habitat: Diverse, rock crevices, trees and buildings
Similar species:L. splendida
Call: Loud, deep, reverberating barking sound resembles see-saw of timber being cut
http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

Rock Frog

FROG 9

© Paul Doughty

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Rock Frog, Copland’s Rock Frog
Litoria coplandi
Size: 29–42 mm, medium
Distinguishing features: Pale, mottled brown back with lighter patch on head between snout and eyes; large, conspicuous external ear (tympanum); toes fully webbed; fingers unwebbed; groin and inside of thighs lemon yellow

Habitat: Restricted to rocky habitats, creeks and caves
Similar species:L. inermis,L. pallida
Call: Unknown

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Bumpy Rocket Frog

FROG 1o

© Katrina Nissen

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Bumpy Rocket Frog, Peter’s Frog
Litoria inermis
Size: 2.4–3.7 cm, small to medium Distinguishing features: Mottled dark brown on lighter background; pointed, elongated head; unwebbed fingers and partially webbed toes;coarse warty back;distinct whitepatch at hinge of jaw; inside of thigh yellow with black marking.

Habitat: Open grasslands and stream sides
Similar species:L. coplandi,L. pallida
Call: “ merk, merk, merk” … repeated frequently
http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

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Rockhole Frog

FROG 11

© Katrina Nissen

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Rockhole Frog
Litoria meiriana
Size: 16–21 mm, small
Distinguishing features: Mottled grey purple or dark brown with many, small bumpy warts (tubercles); cream to yellow spots, blotches or stripes on upper surface of thighs; toes fully webbed; fingers unwebbed with large, oval

(not round) discs
Habitat: Found near rocky pools and temporary creeks in rocky areas, shelters in caves
Call: Penetrating bleating sound
http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

Striped Rocket Frog

FROG 12

© Paul Doughty

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Striped Rocket Frog
Litoria nasuta
Size: 33-55 mm.
Distinguishing features: Exceptionally elongated; triangle protruding snout; long hind legs; dark uneven stripes of green, gold, browns; fingers unwebbed, small discs, slight webbing between toes; skin on back raised in ridges (longitudinal

folds); proficient jumper
Habitat: various; disperses widely during wet
Call: Two short “but..but”…then long series ”wick”…”wick” …”wick”…”wick”, occasionally dispersed with “but”.. “but”

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

Pale Frog

FROG 13

© Paul Doughty

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Pale Frog
Litoria pallida
Size: 27–37 mm, medium
Distinguishing features: Grey or brown; angled, elongated head; distinct dark stripe on side of head, white or pale yellow stripe below nostril to shoulder; yellow inside of thigh
Habitat: Dry, open forest to temporarily

flooded grasslands
Similar species:L. coplandi,L. inermis
Call: Complex call, short and long components with frequency shifts and multiple harmonic bands

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

Northern Laughing Tree Frog

FROG 14

© Paul Doughty

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Northern Laughing Tree Frog, Roth’s Tree Frog
Litoria rothii
Size: 37–57 mm, medium

Distinguishing features: Rich, mottled brown, through to pale cream to almost white all over, groin and inside of thighs flushed with bright yellow and black; upper half of eye iris is red; lower half is

gold; toes are fully webbed; fingers half webbed
Habitat: Associated with water, particularly around overhanging vegetation, common in buildings and toilets
Call: Resembles raucous laughter

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

Little Red Tree Frog

FROG 15

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Little Red Tree Frog, Desert Tree Frog
Litoria rubella
Size: 28–43 mm, small to medium
Distinguishing features: Upper back can vary, from pale fawn, browns, and orange-red, occasionally with scattered dark flecks; broad, dark long stripe along body; toes half webbed, fingers webbed at base; groin lemon yellow .

Habitat: Broad habitat, tolerates arid areas, common inhabitant of buildings and toilets.
Call: Long, harsh vibrant, loud screech, similar to chorus of silver gulls.

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ......http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Splendid Tree Frog

FROG 16

© Katrina Nissen

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Splendid Tree Frog, Magnificent Tree Frog
Litoria splendida
Size: 88–106 mm, large
Distinguishing features: Greenish body with conspicuous yellow spots and blotches; large, bulging skin gland on head; inside of limbs yellowish; very large pads on fingers and toes, fingers about

1/3 webbed, toes fully webbed
Habitat: Rocky habitats and caves, buildings, toilets
Similar species:L. caerulea
Call: Deep, harsh call similar to tom cat, repeated “me..oow …me….oow”
http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

Chattering Rock Frog

FROG 17

© Paul Doughty

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Chattering Rock Frog
Litoria staccato
Size: Small, newly discovered species (2006)
Distinguishing features: Mottled back; long nose; expanded toe discs; darker band across face
Habitat: Rock pools

Similar species L. inermis
Call: High pitched irregular call (like Morse code)

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ......http://www.canetoads.com.au

Northern Burrowing Frog

FROG 18

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Northern Burrowing Frog
Neobatrachus aquilonius
Size: 48–59 mm, medium sized
Distinguishing features: Robust bellied, bright yellow or greenish, bearing extensive darker irregular shaped markings; limbs very short; under surfaces are red/brown; toes webbed; underneath body surface white

Habitat: Sparsely vegetated country, active at water edges
Call: Short, low trill repeated at frequent intervals

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au .......http://www.canetoads.com.au

Northern Spadefoot Toad

FROG 19

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Northern Spadefoot Toad
Notaden melanoscaphus
Size: 34–49 mm, medium Distinguishing features: Round and robust, with short legs and blunt snout; dull grey to brown back, rough with many bumpy warts (tubercles); juveniles brightly coloured; can exude a pale cream secretion, which turns bright orange and hardens on collectors’ hands

Habitat: Open grasslands on sandy and clay soils
Similar species:O. ornatus
Call: Loud “Whoop”, repeated frequently

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

Desert Spadefoot

FROG 20

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Desert Spadefoot
Notaden nichollsi
Size: 42-65mm, medium to large
Distinguishing features: Roundbody, short legs; dull orange with olive/grey/brown raised black bumpy warts (tubercles), sometimes with red or yellow intricate pattern of dots; fingers and toes long and pointed.

Habitat: Burrowing species, active in open sparse vegetation
Call: “Whoop”, repeated frequently whilst floating in water

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ......http://www.canetoads.com.au

Weigels Spadefoot

FROG 21

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Weigel’s Spadefoot
Notaden weigeli
Size: Large, long legged
Distinguishing features: Fawn back, with numerous white tipped orange bumpy warts (tubercles); indistinct grey/green patches; face grey with white warts; can exude thick (viscous) sticky white secretion (like other members of

genus)
Habitat: Acid sands, sandstone and tussock grasses
Call: Unknown

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Ornate Burrowing Frog

FROG 22

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Ornate Burrowing Frog
Platyplectrum ornatum formerly Limnodynastes ornatus
Size: 29–42 mm, medium
Distinguishing features: Extremely stout and upright with large, protruding eyes; pale/fawn patch behind eyes on back with darker blotches over body, occasionally plain; distinct banding on hind limbs, bar connecting the eye to

mouth, little or no webbing on toes or fingers
Habitat: Seasonal inundated dry woodlands
Similar species:N. melanoscaphus,L. convexiusculus
Call: Rather nasal “Unk”, but also uses other noises after being disturbed
http://www.canetoads.com.au
Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.

Northern Toadlet

FROG 23

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Northern Toadlet
Uperoleia borealis
Size: 22–27 mm, small
Distinguishing features: Dull brown to grey back; moderately developed behind the eyes glands (parotoid); red to orange patches in groin; inside of thighs, throat slightly mottled with grey; no toe webbing

Habitat: Flooded grasslands and rocky areas.
Similar species:U. talpa, U. lithomoda,U. crassa
Call: Short rasping note

Ref: Tyler, M.J; Smith, L.A; & Johnstone, R.E.“Frogs of Western Australia” WA Museum.
http://frogwatch.museum.wa.gov.au ............ .http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Male Cane Toad

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Male Cane Toad
Bufo marinus
Size: 90-150 mm,
Distinguishing features: Distinct bony eye ridge; rough bumpy warts (tubercles) on back, like sand paper; eardrum visible; shoulder (paratoid) glands obvious; light brown, olive to dark grey; cream underneath with darker blotches,

sometimes with golden tinge; partial webbing on back toes only; male toads can become females like barramundi
Habitat: Various; thrives in built up areas; prefers cleared areas, nocturnal activity; congregates in diurnal shelters
Call: males call at water’s edge “bbrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” repeated

Ref: Lever C. RE “The Cane Toad – The history and ecology of a successful colonist”
http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Female Cane Toad

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Female Cane Toad
Bufo marinus
Size: 90-200 mm
Distinguishing features: Distinct bony eye ridge; back more flat and smooth; eardrum visible; shoulder (paratoid) glands obvious; light brown, olive to dark grey; dark mottling sometimes; pale cream underneath with darker blotches;

Can lay up to 30,000 eggs; partial webbing on back toes only
Habitat: Various; thrives in built up areas; prefers cleared areas; nocturnal activity; congregates in diurnal shelters

Ref: Lever C. RE “The Cane Toad – The history and ecology of a successful colonist”
http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Juvenile Cane Toad

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Juvenile Cane Toad
Bufo marinus
Size: 20-90 mm
Distinguishing features: Distinct bony eye ridge; eardrum visible; shoulder (paratoid) glands obvious; great camouflage, colour highly variable; light brown, olive/grey, red/dark mottling, can have stripe down back; pale cream

underneath with darker blotches; partial webbing on back toes only
Habitat: More nocturnal activity, dispersing to wider habitats

Ref: Lever C. RE “The Cane Toad – The history and ecology of a successful colonist”
http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Cane Toad Metamorph

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Cane Toad Metamorph
Bufo marinus
Size: 10-20 mm
Distinguishing features: Distinct bony eye ridge; eardrum not obvious; shoulder (paratoid) glands not obvious; great camouflage; colour highly variable; light brown, olive/grey; red specks and dark mottling, can have striped back; pale cream underneath with darker blotches;

barring across legs; easily confused with juvenile native frog P. ornatum
Habitat: Sheltering at waters edge in wet vegetation; diurnal activity

Ref: Lever C. RE “The Cane Toad – The history and ecology of a successful colonist”
http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Cane Toad Metamorph

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Cane Toad Metamorph (transition)
Bufo marinus
Size: 10 mm
Distinguishing features: Distinct bony eye ridge; eardrum not obvious; shoulder (paratoid) glands not obvious; mainly black with colour blotches; losing tail; front and back legs obvious; losing gills,

developing lungs, swimming ability reduced; needing to surface to breathe
Habitat: In water near edge, only a day away from hopping onto land; resting on rocks/vegetation.

Ref: Lever C. RE “The Cane Toad – The history and ecology of a successful colonist”
http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Cane Toad Tadpole

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Cane Toad Tadpole
Bufo marinus
Size: 10-20 mm
Distinguishing features: Almost black all over, with some small lighter blotches usually on tail first; distinct square mouth 1mm due to bony ridge around face; generally congregate in shoals; large head 10mm, half overall total length, whereas

native frog tadpoles have longer tails in proportion; four to eight weeks to reach metamorph stage

Ref: Lever C. RE “The Cane Toad – The history and ecology of a successful colonist”
http://www.canetoads.com.au

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Cane Toad Eggs

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Kimberley Toad Busters

Cane Toad Eggs
Bufo marinus
Size: 1.7-2.0 mm
Distinguishing features: Black eggs, number between 8,000 – 30,000, in long clear gelatinous strands; laid in water; within first 24hrs whole strand can be pulled from water; after 24hrs stands break down and disperse; eggs hatch

between 36hrs – 4 days; development rate is dependant on water temperature and amount of food mainly algae

Ref: Lever C. RE “The Cane Toad – The history and ecology of a successful colonist”
http://www.canetoads.com.au