Litoria fallax


Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog

Photos

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

Distribution

Distribution map for Litoria fallax
Found along most of the east coast and ranges from northern QLD to southern NSW, including some areas further inland. It has also been accidentally transported to Melbourne, VIC, where there are now some breeding populations.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Least Concern

Photos

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

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Allana Brown

Call recorded by Jessica Malcolm

Call recorded by Blanche D'Anastasi

Call recorded by Chris Sanderson

Call recorded by Jodi Rowley

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A small species of frog reaching up to 2.5 cm in body length. It has a bright green or bronze back, with a bronze stripe from the tip of the snout along the sides if the back is green, or small green patches if the back is bronze. There is a white stripe from under the eye to the arm. The belly is white, and the male has a yellow throat. The pupil is horizontal, and the iris is gold. The front sides of the lower legs and the groin are orange. Fingers are slightly webbed and toes are three-quarters webbed, both with small discs. A taxonomic revision of the Australian treefrogs published in June 2025 has suggested that this species be placed in the genus Drymomantis, resulting in the proposed species name of Drymomantis fallax.

Habitats

Occurs near swamps, ponds and lagoons that have emergent reeds.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as many small clusters and attached to vegetation near the surface of the water in swamps, permanent ponds, and dams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 5 cm, and are translucent gold or olive-brown in colour. If viewed from the side, the lower half of the body will be white or silver, clearly separated from the colour of the back. The tadpoles often remain near the surface water bodies, and take two and a half to four and a half months to develop into frogs. Breeds during any time of the year.

Similar Species

Looks very similar to Litoria bicolor, Litoria cooloolensis, and Litoria olongburensis in its distribution, but Litoria cooloolensis has small brown spots on its back and Litoria olongburensis has brown flecks on the throat, while Litoria bicolor is most easily distinguished by its different call.