Green and Golden Bell Frog

Scientific name: Litoria aurea

Updated

02/12/20
Read time

2 minutes

Fast Facts

NSW Conservation Status

Endangered species
Classification

Species

aurea

Genus

Litoria

Family

Hylidae

Order

Anura

Subclass

Lissamphibia

Subphylum

Vertebrata

Phylum

Chordata

Kingdom

Animalia
Size Range

8.5 cm

Introduction

The Green and Golden Bell Frog was once one of the most common frog species on Australia's south-eastern coast.

Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea)

Habitat

The Green and Golden Bell Frog occurs in large, permanent, open-water swamps or ponds that have a variable water level and dense vegetation.

Distribution

The Green and Golden Bell Frog is found in eastern New South Wales.

Communication

The Green and Golden Bell Frog has a distinctive three-part call that sounds a bit like a motor bike changing gears.

Conservation status

Green and Golden Bell Frog populations have declined, probably as a result of habitat loss, introduced predators and other factors. It was listed as endangered under the New South Wales Threatened Species Act and is classified as vulnerable nationally.

In Sydney, despite this population decline, it is still present in a number of sites. One of these was the 2000 Olympic Games site at Homebush Bay, right where the tennis courts were meant to be built. The presence of the frog meant the building plans were halted and the courts eventually built elsewhere. Because of other work on the site, more frog habitat had to be created nearby. The Homebush Bay population has been monitored by the Australian Museum ever since and seems to be stable despite the surrounding site development.