About the Catchment Area : Animals

Frogs in the Southern and Hills Area

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Six local native frog species have been recorded in Adelaide's Southern and Hills area. These are the Common Froglet (Crinia signifera), the Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingi), the Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerili), the Spotted Grass Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis), the Painted Frog (Neobatrachus pictus) and Bibron’s Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibroni).

The specific habitat requirements of these frogs vary, but all can be said to require water-bodies with good water quality, that persist for at least 3 months of the year. Most also require good quality native stream-side vegetation.

Photographs shown below have been kindly supplied by Mr Steve Walker, Frog Census Coordinator, Environment Protection Agency.

(See also this page, "Encouraging frogs into your garden")

Common Froglet Crinia signifera Here the call of the Common Froglet The Common Froglet (Crinia signifera) is often found beneath rocks, vegetation and debris at the edge of creeks, ponds, wetlands and areas of seepage. During dry periods the frog may be found away from water sources. It breeds throughout the year except in mid summer. Eggs are laid in small bunches of 100-150 in shallow water.

Brown Tree Frog Litoria ewingi Here the call of the Brown Tree Frog The Brown Tree Frog (Litoria ewingi) occupies a wide variety of habitats in South Australia. It can be found on the ground, in vegetation, under rocks near permanent streams or pools and in your garden.

Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerili Here the call of the Eastern Banjo Frog The Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes drumerili) burrows in loamy soils and emerges to feed and breed after rains. Commonly seen crossing roads on rainy nights in the Adelaide Hills. In Spring a large foam nest containing up to 4000 eggs is laid in water and is often attached to vegetation.

Spotted Grass Frog Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Here the call of the Spotted Grass Frog The Spotted Grass Frog (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) is a widespread species. Its habitat includes marshy country, creek edges and wetlands. Males call from the edge of shallow water and are often concealed by vegetation. Breeding can occur at any time of the year, particularly between August and March. A foam nest of 90-1300 eggs is laid floating in water attached to submerged vegetation.

Bibron’s Toadlet Pseudophryne bibroni Bibron’s Toadlet (Pseudophryne bibroni) is found in damp areas with some cover such as logs and stones. Calling begins in February and continues until August. Eggs are deposited in damp leaf litter under logs and stones. Hatching occurs after sufficient rains flood the area.

Painted Frog Neobatrachus pictus Here the call of the Painted Frog The Painted Frog (Neobatrachus pictus) is found mostly in open grassland and woodlands. About 1000 yellow eggs are laid in a chain entwined with submerged vegetation.

Frog Census

Each year, in September, the Environment Protection Agency conducts a Frog Census The Census provides a 'snapshot' of the distribution and abundance of the frogs in South Australia.

Frogs are well known for theirr sensitivity to pollution and habitat degradation. They need a healthy environment in which to complete their life cycle from egg to tadpole to adult frog.

Frogs are easy to monitor because each species has its own distinct call. From the tapes recorded by the Frog Census participants, scientists at the EPA can accurately identify which frog species are present and calling at each location. Click on the links to each frog in the menu to listen to their calls!

The census involves a simple assessment of the health of our waterways by assuming that healthy habitats provide suitable conditions for diverse and abundant frog populations. Unhealthy or degraded habitats, on the other hand, have few or no frogs present.

More information about the Census and how you can participate is available from the Environmnet Protection Agency's website at http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/epa/frogcensus/index.html

The NRM Board would like to thank the Enviroment Protection Agency for their assistance in compiling the information and photographs on this page.

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Encouraging frogs into your garden
Enticing frogs into your garden can be relatively simple - it is almost as easy as ‘just adding water’!

Start by providing a source of water for the frogs in the form a pond. The shape of the pond is more important than the size. At least one of the sides of the pond must have a gradual slope to enable the frogs to get out of the water. In the warmer months of the year, tadpoles will move towards the deeper, cooler water. In the cooler months they will seek warmer water on the edges.

You can buy preformed ponds from garden centres or hardware stores. Alternatively you can make you own pond by digging a hole, being sure to remove all stones and sharp objects, then coating the hole with a layer of sand before finally placing a poly butyl pond liner in it. For the best results, be sure to follow the manufactures instructions.

Selecting the site for your pond

When you are selecting the location of your pond you may want to place it well away from your house and from your neighbour’s bedroom windows - the croaking can at times become very loud!

Once you have constructed your pond, it is now time to add the water. If you are adding tap water to you pond, please wait a few days before you add anything living to it as tap water contains chlorine that can be extremely harmful.

Providing shelter

Frogs and tadpoles like plenty of hiding places and lots of shade. Stock your pond with plenty of pond plants of various sizes and heights.

When selecting your plants be sure to have a mixture of species and only buy plants that are suited to the location of your pond - for example if your pond is in a shady spot then only choose plants that thrive in shade.

When you purchase your pond plants they will most likely come in pots. If you are unable to plant the plants directly into the bank of the pond - for example if your pond is prefabricated from a liner - then simply stand the plant pots in the pond at the required depths. (You may need a few small pebble placed underneath the pots to level them up a bit if you pond has sloping sides).

When placing you plants in the pond, be sure to read the label of the plant. If you plant is too deep or too shallow the plant will most probably die.

Hiding places

Logs and boulders can look very attractive and natural if they are well selected and placed in and around you pond. You may even like to place some grasses or rushes around them to help to create a more natural looking effect. The added benefit of the logs and boulders is they also make great hiding spots for the frogs. (When sourcing logs and boulders, don’t take them from areas where they are already be used as homes by other creatures)

Depending on the position of your pond, you may find that in a very short-time your pond will be inundated with algae. If this happens, talk to a reputable pond supply stockist who may recommend purchasing a pond filter that can help control the problem.

In addition to constructing the pond there are a few other things that your can do to make your garden more frog friendly. Provide a food source for the frogs by encouraging more insects into the garden. This can be done by mulching your garden beds, keeping a compost heap and planting local native plants. Frogs also like humidity to try where possible to have a well-vegetated garden. Plant ground covers and understorey plants.

While you are waiting for your local frogs to turn up to your newly made frog haven, please don’t be tempted to visit your local pet shop to purchase frogs or tadpoles that are not native to your particular area. Introduced species of frogs can cause real environmental problems for other species. Be patient, yours will come!! If they are slow to arrive, play a tape of frog calls on a hot humid night. Once one arrives, the others will follow quickly and then you will have your very own frog chorus.

All creatures great and small

Overtime, as your pond becomes more established and well known to creatures in your area you will find all sorts of things turning up including dragonflies, mayflies, water beetles and snails. You will discover that birds too will also come down for a drink and the occasional bath.

Frogs and swimming pools don't mix

If you have a swimming pool in your garden, there is a chance that frogs could occasionally drown in it. Frogs are attracted by the high humidity and the gardens surrounding of the swimming pool. In order to prevent accidental drownings, some sort of sloping float should be placed in the pool. This should be at the edge of the pool because frogs swim around the edge when they are looking for a toehold to climb out of the pool.