Frogs, frogs and more frogs
Frogs: ecology and habitat
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Frogs need your help to survive!!
Frogs live in both the desert and wetter regions of Australia. Frogs species found in arid zones of Australia
burrow deep underground, storing large amounts of water in their bodies before burrowing. Some merely
hide in deep crevices, waiting for the heat and light of the sun to pass.
Their skin is NOT waterproof. This means that on warm days, frogs lose a lot of body moisture.
You will find most frogs active at night, when they will hop about in search of food or a partner.
Many frogs require water to breed, although a small puddle can be enough.
People and frogs are coming into contact more often, and we need to be able to live together. YOU can help
protect local frog populations and maintain the health of our natural environment by creating or maintaining a frog
friendly habitat in your backyard.
Frog-friendly yards can act as pathways for frogs to move across our urban landscape.
When creating a habitat for frogs make sure you provide:
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Frogs at Jacqui Osmond Reserve
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At the reserve you may be lucky to observe some of
the following frog species in their natural environment:
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Lots of native plants
Plenty of ground cover
Rocks
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Logs
Leaf matter
Moisture.
Remember it is important that you do NOT handle frogs. Small traces of chemicals, soaps
and detergents you may have handled can be harmful to frogs.
Green and golden bell frog (Litoria aurea)
Green tree frog (Litoria caerulea)
Common eastern froglet (Crinia signifera)
Brown striped frog (Limnodynastes peronii).
Striped Marsh Frog (Limnodynastes peroni)
Copyright Lydia Fucsko/frogs.org.au
Threats to frog habitats
Man-made changes to the natural environment have
been destructive to frogs and their habitats, such as:
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Land clearing of vegetation
Increasing pollution and
Introduced species that predate on frogs.
Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea)
Copyright Lydia Fucsko/frogs.org.au
Eastern Common Froglet (Crinea signifera)
Copyright Lydia Fucsko/frogs.org.au
Why are frogs important for our environment?
Frogs are important as environmental indicators:
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The thin, porous skin of frogs and tadpoles makes them very sensitive to changes in their habitat
Due to their skin type, frogs are able to absorb chemicals from the air and water making frogs excellent
indicators of environmental damage
Frogs help maintain the balance of nature, feeding on and providing food for other animals in the food chain
A wide range of frogs indicates a healthy environment. When a large number of frogs disappear it may mean
that the natural environment is in poor condition.
Common Green Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea)
Copyright Lydia Fucsko/frogs.org.au
Why we need to maintain frog habitats
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Frogs are a valuable part of our natural environment.
Frogs and tadpoles play a significant role in the food chain of many ecosystems - they do a fantastic job of
helping to control insect pest populations
Tadpoles also act as natural nutrient filters - they help to control levels of algae in our waterways.
Through the Plan(t)It For Real project, Council have identified opportunities for habitat creation for amphibians
and other semi-aquatic flora and fauna, and will develop strategies to recover wet areas.
Project initiative of the NSW Department of Planning’s Georges River Foreshores Improvement Program