Frogs of Australia

Regional guides

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Key guide to Victorian frogs

The Frogs of Victoria project is retained only for the great key guide. Work through a series of questions until, finally, your frog is identified.

Key guide

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Litoria raniformis

Growling Grass Frog

Also: Green and Golden Frog, Southern Bell Frog, Warty Swamp Frog

+ 56 kb Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis)

A widespread but only locally common frog, populations of which may be in decline. A close relative of Litoria aurea this frog also preys on other frogs and is active by day.

Distribution and habitat

Adults are usually found close to or in water or very wet areas in woodlands, shrublands, and open and disturbed areas. Eggs and tadpoles can be found in permanent lakes, swamps, dams, and lagoons with still water.

There is a detailed distribution map available for: Victoria.

Calling

Males usually call while floating in open water. The call is a growl of about one second duration - "crawark-crawark-crok-crok".

Life cycle

Distinguishing characteristics

Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis) Copyright Julian Bentley. Photograph by Julian Bentley.

+ 50 kb Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis)

Adult length: 55-100mm.
The eggs are pigmented and contained within a floating jelly raft which later breaks up and sinks. The tadpoles are pinkish-grey with yellowish fins. Adults are bright emerald to dull olive green with brown and/or gold blotches on a warty back. The tympanum (ear) is distinct, as is the dorso-lateral fold.

Visible features

Presented here is the information stored in the frogs.org.au database which is used to identify frogs based on their appearance. It is intended to be used in a key guide for separating species so some of the information (for example, back colours) may be rather non-specific. The system is currently being developed - if you notice errors in the data, please write to Dave Black at the address at the bottom of the page.

Important note: This information details only the appearance of the frog. If an "or" appears in the description, this may mean either that there is some variation within the species or that the feature might be observed differently by different people. For example, if a frog has very small toe pads, it may be listed as having "Toe pads: present or absent".