Litoria revelata
Southern Whirring Tree 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 Jodi Rowley
Call recorded by Brett Malcolm
Calling Period
- Jan
- yes
- Feb
- yes
- Mar
- yes
- Apr
- yes
- May
- yes
- Jun
- yes
- Jul
- yes
- Aug
- yes
- Sep
- peak
- Oct
- peak
- Nov
- peak
- Dec
- yes
Species Information
Description
A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 3.7 cm in body length. It has a tan, cream-brown, or reddish-brown back with a wide brown longitudinal stripe along the middle that starts between the eyes. There is a brown stripe from the nostril to past the arm. The belly is cream to white and the male has a yellow or orange throat with dark flecks. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is copper-gold. The groin is yellow, red, or orange and the backs of the thighs are orange, often with dark patches and occasionally with small dark spots. The backs of the thighs are bright orange, occasionally with black spots or patches. Fingers are long and unwebbed, and toes are three-quarters webbed, both with prominent discs. Males have a yellow back in the breeding season. Until 2025, this species included disjunct populations in the Atherton Tablelands and Eungella Plateau of QLD. However, recent scientific research using a combination of morphological, genetic and bioacoustic analyses, including the use of FrogID recordings, revealed that these populations are actually distinct species. 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 revelata.
Habitats
Occurs in heathland, wet sclerophyll forest, rainforest and farmland.
Breeding Biology
Eggs are laid singly or in small rows, and are attached to vegetation near the surface of the water in permanent or ephemeral ponds, swamps, dams, and slow-flowing pools in streams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to nearly 6 cm and are dark brown in colour, often with a dull copper sheen. They often remain near the surface of water bodies, and take around three months to develop into frogs. Breeds mostly during spring to summer.
Similar Species
Looks similar to Litoria ewingii, Litoria dentata, Litoria jervisiensis, Litoria littlejohni and Litoria verreauxii in its distribution, but has black spots or patches on the backs of the thighs.