AUSTRALIA is home to an astounding array of frog species.
Anyone who has a backyard, will have at least one species present and their calls on a summer evening can be deafening.
Over the years in south-east Queensland, I have encountered many species and mostly it is by hearing the frogs calling.
However, there are some frog species which are big enough that they can be visibly seen and identified. One such species is Fletcher’s Frog.
This species can vary its body colour into many shades of brown and has dark strip markings on the legs.
They can be misidentified in south-east QLD with the Barred frog species, however, Fletcher’s frog is smaller.
Fletcher’s Frogs are most active in the spring and summer months and this is when they breed.
Usually, I have encountered the frogs when native vegetation has not been disturbed and at a range of altitudes.
In the right environment, this frog species can be relatively common.
Their call is a low rough sound and is quite distinctive. They can be active through the day and night.
South-east Queensland is a stronghold for this particular species and their range extends into coastal areas in New South Wales.
Many frog species in Australia are facing numerous threats to their survival.
Some of these threats include habitat loss, introduced pests, disease and physical changes to the environments which they have evolved to.
For anyone wishing to attract frogs, some of the best ways is to have a constant water supply such as a pond, native vegetation and to limit the use of chemicals.
Many frog species benefit from healthy leaf litter and soils.
There are even frog motel structures which can be purchased which can provide a place for frogs to shelter and can be placed strategically in one’s garden.
For anyone wishing to learn about frogs, I would suggest a frog ID app or field guide.
Personally, I like to identify frogs by their call and have access to frog call ID apps which assist with this.
Frogs are fascinating creatures and can give an insight into the health of the world around them. They are certainly worth getting to know.
