Litoria ewingii


Brown Tree Frog

Photos

  • Litoria ewingii
    Photo: Stephen Mahony
  • Litoria ewingii
    Photo: Stephen Mahony
  • Litoria ewingii
    Photo: Jodi Rowley

Distribution

Distribution map for Litoria ewingii
Widespread in south-eastern Australia including Tasmania and the south-eastern mainland coast, ranging from southern New South Wales, across Victoria to south-eastern South Australia.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Least Concern

Photos

  • Litoria ewingii
    Photo: Stephen Mahony
  • Litoria ewingii
    Photo: Stephen Mahony
  • Litoria ewingii
    Photo: Jodi Rowley

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Grant Webster

Call recorded by Murray Littlejohn

Call recorded by Darren Roache

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 4.5 cm in body length. It has a cream-coloured, brown, copper or occasionally lime green back, with a wide, darker bifurcated stripe along the middle that starts between the eyes. There is a black or dark brown stripe from the tip of the snout to past the arm. There is often a white stripe from below the eye to the end of the upper lip. The belly is white, and the male often has a darker throat. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is gold. The backs of the thighs are typically orange-yellow and unpatterned. The groin region is usually plain and unpatterned. Fingers are unwebbed and toes are moderate-extensively webbed, both with discs wider than the digits. A taxonomic revision of the Australian treefrogs published in June 2025 has suggested that this species be placed in the genus Rawlinsonia, resulting in the proposed species name of Rawlinsonia ewingii.

Habitats

Occurs in forest, heathland, alpine areas, farmland, and even suburban areas.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid in clusters that stick to vegetation under the surface of the water in temporary or permanent ponds, dams, and stream pools. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 5.5 cm, and are black, brown, or gold in colour. They often remain at the surface of water bodies. They take six to seven months to develop into frogs, although tadpoles in warmer areas may grow faster. Breeds during any time of the year.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Litoria paraewingi, Litoria jervisiensis, and Litoria verreauxii in its distribution, but has a higher-pitched call than Litoria paraewingi, and has smaller finger and toe discs than Litoria jervisiensis. Litoria verreauxii typically has black spots in the groin that are absent in Litoria ewingii. Litoria verreauxii also has toe discs that are equal in size to the digits, versus wider than the digits in Litoria ewingii. Litoria ewingii is also similar in appearance to Litoria calliscelis and Litoria sibilus but can be identified based on distribution.