Rocket Frog
Click to enlarge image
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Species
- nasuta
- Genus
- Litoria
- Family
- Hylidae
- Order
- Anura
- Subclass
- Lissamphibia
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 5 cm
Introduction
The Rocket Frog gets its name from its long pointed snout, but it could equally have got it for its impressive leaping ability.
Identification
The Rocket Frog's legs are extremely long and allow them to leap farther than most other frogs of the same size. Leaps of over 4 m are not uncommon.
Striped Rocket Frog (Litoria nasuta), Northern Territory, Australia.
Image: Jodi Rowley© Australian Museum
Habitat
The Rocket Frog lives in open forests and swamps, usually close to streams and ponds.
Distribution
Rocket Frogs are found in northern Australia and eastern Australia as far south as Sydney. Sydney is close to the most southerly extent of the Rocket Frog's range, as this frog is adapted to the hot weather of the tropics.
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Download todayCommunication
The male Rocket Frogs can be heard calling after spring and summer rains when they make a rapid yapping or 'wik...wik...wik' sound.
Life history cycle
Female Rocket Frogs lay their eggs in a raft on the water surface where they float in a coat of jelly-like material before the tadpoles hatch into the water.
