Litoria inermis


Bumpy Rocket Frog

Photos

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

Distribution

Distribution map for Litoria inermis
Found from the Kimberley region in WA, east through the Top End of NT, and most of QLD excluding the far southwest.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Unlisted

IUCN Red List

Least Concern

Photos

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

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Keith McDonald

Call recorded by Peter Hallin

Call recorded by Jodi Rowley

Call recorded by Paul Doughty

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 3.5 cm in body length. It has a grey or brown back, with darker patches. There is an indistinct black stripe from the tip of the snout to the eye. There is sometimes a white stripe along the upper lip, and often black and white vertical bars along the lower lip. The belly is white, and the male has a darker throat. The pupil is nearly round or horizontal, and the iris is gold. The backs of the thighs are yellow, with black markings. Fingers are unwebbed 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 remain in the genus Litoria, retaining its species name of Litoria inermis.

Habitats

Occurs in savannah woodland and grassland.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as clusters that float on the edge of permanent ponds and temporary pools. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 4.5 cm and are gold in colour, sometimes with many black spots. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies, and take around three months to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring to autumn in the wet season.

Similar Species

Looks very similar to the many other rocket frog species in its distribution. Looks most similar to Litoria freycineti, Litoria latopalmata, Litoria pallida, and Litoria tornieri, but lacks a distinct dark stripe from the tip of the snout to the side, and has bumpier skin.