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New Zealand Herpetological Society Inc.

Frogs

New Zealand is home to six species of frogs; three are exotic being introduced from Australia. The introduced frogs are usually found near stretches of calm water, as they require ponds to breed in and a suitable environment for the ensuing tadpoles in which to grow. Frogs have huge appetites and will eat insects, bugs and even smaller frogs. These frogs generally hibernate during the winter months. The deadly chytrid fungus has now arrived, and is affecting many frog populations throughout the country.

Click here for information on the Amphibian decline and Chytrid Crisis. http://elib.cs.berkeley.edu/aw/declines/

Classification of the Chytrid fungus at http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/fungisy.html

Amphibian diseases

http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/phtm/PHTM/frogs/ampdis.htm

DoC - Frog Identifier

Click Here

The native frogs are an ancient branch of the frog family and all are totally protected. Small groups are to be found in only a few locations. They are nocturnal. Eggs are laid under stones, logs and damp places. The tadpoles form and grow inside the egg capsule and after about six weeks they hatch as tiny frogs. These frogs will catch and swallow any moving bug on the forest floor (spiders, beetles and moths). None of these native frogs have external ear drums. If disturbed these frogs emit a small chirping sound.

Click on the links below to find out more information:

Adventive - Litoria:

Aurea - Litoria aurea, Golden Bell Frog

Has many variations of dorsal markings, the main colour being green, often with coppery shaded patches / stripes running the length of the body. There is always a light coloured stripe from the eye laterally to the groin where it terminates in a splash of bright blue or green. The toes on the hind feet are ¾ webbed. Females of Litoria aurea are usually larger than the males.

Ewingii - Litoria ewingii

These frogs are small, 36mm SV, pale brown with darker brown stripes and blotches that run both dorsally and laterally. These colours can also be changed to adapt to the surrounding habitat. A high-pitched chirping noise, reminiscent of a bird, is often heard on warm damp evenings. The species is nocturnal often being found in trees. In breeding the eggs are attached to the underwater parts of plants.

Raniformis - Litoria raniformis

Southern Bell Frog The Southern Bell Frog is slightly larger than Litoria aurea and displays irregular copper and green markings and the skin is dorsally “bumpy”. A prominent fold appears on the side of the body and a pale stripe runs down the dorsal mid line. The species Litoria raniformis also possesses the ability to change the colour tone of its skin to aid in camouflage.

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Endemic - Leiopelma:

Leiopelma archeyi

This is the smallest of the native frogs and is found at two sites in the North Island in damp misty sub-alpine scrub. The hind feet have very little webbing.

hamiltoni

Once widespread throughout the central regions of the country it is now only found on one rocky Cook Strait island. One of the world’s rarest frogs. Hamilton’s frog is larger than either Leiopelma hochstetteri or Leiopelma archeyi and has virtually no webbing on its feet since it has adapted to live in rocky outcrops.

hochstetteri

Fossils show that this frog was found over most of the North Island however it is now found near creeks in damp forests in a few Northern areas and on some off shore islands. Although this species has more webbing on its feet than the other three endemic frogs, it is still only partially webbed.

pakeka

Maud Island Frog. Relatively large, up to 37mm long, brown.

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