Brown Tree Frog Litoria ewingii

Keeping frogs away from a habitat they enjoy is challenging, especially when the frogs are as adaptable as these ones. As noted in the above article, it's not only watery environments that attract these frogs - a range of features of your yard may be "frog-friendly" ones. For further information about garden features that attract frogs, see the link provided in response to Mitchell's comment; might reversing some of these suggestions help? 

Hi Brandon and thanks for your query. Brown Tree Frogs are predators and will begin feeding several days after metamorphosing and leaving the water. They will eat small insects (small enough for them to get in their mouths whole). Small crickets and cockroaches (commercially available) are ideal, but they can be fed wild caught insect such as flies and moths. Avoid feeding them stinging or biting species such as wasps or ants.  Please note: Although Brown Tree Frogs are a common local species, they are protected by law. Any frog kept in Victoria must be obtained from a legal source (breeder, pet shop, etc) and cannot be taken from the wild.

Hi Brandon.  Thanks for the further questions about your frogs.  We have again asked our Live Exhibits team for information for you.  Your frogs do also require ‘land’ are within the tank. A substrate of moist coco-peat, available from a hardware store, is suitable. The substrate will need to be changed periodically to prevent the build up of wastes. And you can expect your Brown Tree Frogs will grow to between 25 – 40mm.

Jo, these frogs pose no threat to dogs whatsoever, and will probably disappear along with the floods. Please do not attempt to remove them in the meantime, as this is highly disruptive to the frog population. See this website for further info. Hope this helps!

Hi Megan - thanks for your query. We recommend you contact the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service for advice on releasing your Brown Tree Frog into the wild.

Hi Ruben, we have contacted the Live Exhibits Team and they have suggested you consider one of two things.  You could either return the frog to Torquay or alternatively contact the Lost Frogs Home, you can find details here: http://frogs.org.au/vfg/features/lostfrogs.html

Hi Chloe - Your frog requires a mature male to grip her in amplexus before she will release the eggs, this usually occurs after the male has been calling. Hopefully you have a mature male or two in your enclosure. Increase the amount of mist spraying (rain) the frogs are getting, this may stimulate males to call and things to happen.  

Hi Taz, it's great that you are concerned for the frog but our Live Exhibits staff have said that the best thing you can do for the frog is release it. Keeping it in captivity increases the disease risks.  

Hi Dave,

Usually one frog would mean that there are probably more in the area. Brown Tree Frogs (Litoria ewingii) breed in the winter months (June-Sept), so that is the best time to see and hear them, as they will come to small water bodies to breed.

Hi Robin,

We forwarded your question to Museum Victoria's animal keepers, who responded with the following:

Brown Tree Frogs (Litoria ewingi) have one of the shortest periods as tadpoles of all Australian frog species – coincidentally, about two months. This will vary on the ambient temperature and water temperature, as well as the availability of food, but means that they should have metamorphosed by the time the house is demolished. If they are still tadpoles at that time, they will at least have grown and become more robust in the intervening period, so if you need to transfer them they will have a better chance of surviving in a new habitat.

Hi Claire, the species you have is most likely the Southern Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingi). They can be kept together as a group when adults, so there is no need to separate them. Once the tadpoles have left the water they have less need to return to it, but water should be provided at all times for the adults as well. The adults have little need for water compared to other frog species, but should always be given access to some, even if it is a small water dish. In your situation you might as well keep the metamorphs in an area with water, just in case they feel the need for it.