Litoria dahlii
Dahl's Aquatic Frog
Distribution
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Conservation Status
What does it mean?
Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)
IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Frog Calls
Call recorded by Cameron Hudson
Calling Period
- Jan
- yes
- Feb
- possible
- Mar
- possible
- Apr
- No calling
- May
- No calling
- Jun
- No calling
- Jul
- No calling
- Aug
- No calling
- Sep
- No calling
- Oct
- No calling
- Nov
- possible
- Dec
- possible
Species Information
Description
A large species of frog reaching up to 7 cm in body length. It has a bright green, olive-green or brown-green back, with dark green or gold patches and often a green longitudinal stripe down the middle. The belly is white. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is gold. Fingers are unwebbed and the toes are fully webbed, both without discs. It is now the only Australian species known to be almost entirely aquatic. A taxonomic revision of the Australian treefrogs published in June 2025 has suggested that this species be placed in the genus Megatestis, resulting in the proposed species name of Megatestis dahlii.
Habitats
Occurs in large permanent dams, lagoons, and floodplains, and nearby savannah woodland.
Breeding Biology
Eggs have not been described, but are laid under the surface of the water in permanent swamps, ponds, lagoons, and dams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 8 cm, and are grey-brown or black in colour. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies, and swim in ball-shaped schools. It is unknown how long they take to develop into frogs. Breeds during summer in the wet season.
Similar Species
Does not look similar to any other species in its distribution.