Litoria spenceri


Spotted Tree Frog

Photos

  • Litoria spenceri
    Photo: Adam Parsons
  • Litoria spenceri
    Photo: Adam Parsons
  • Litoria spenceri
    Photo: Stephen Mahony

Distribution

Distribution map for Litoria spenceri
Formerly found in a wider area of the Snowy Mountains in NSW and VIC, but has declined severely due to the amphibian chytrid fungus, and is now known only from several small populations in VIC and one in NSW. There is a captive breeding program currently in place to help prevent their extinction.

Conservation Status

What does it mean?

Federal Conservation Status (EPBC Act)

Critically Endangered

IUCN Red List

Critically Endangered

Photos

  • Litoria spenceri
    Photo: Adam Parsons
  • Litoria spenceri
    Photo: Adam Parsons
  • Litoria spenceri
    Photo: Stephen Mahony

Frog Calls

Call recorded by Nathan Litjens

Calling Period

Species Information

Description

A medium-sized species of frog reaching up to 5 cm in body length. It has a brown or green back, with or without brown or olive-green mottling. There is a gold or brown stripe from the tip of the snout to past the arm, becoming spots on the side. There is often a green stripe along the upper lip if the back is brown. The belly is white or yellow. The pupil is horizontal and the iris is gold. The backs of the thighs and the groin are yellow or orange. Fingers are slightly webbed and toes are fully webbed, both with large discs. A taxonomic revision of the Australian treefrogs published in June 2025 has suggested that this species be placed in the genus Dryopsophus, resulting in the proposed species name of Dryopsophus spenceri.

Habitats

Occurs near rocky streams in mountainous areas with wet or dry forest nearby.

Breeding Biology

Eggs are laid as a single cluster that is attached to rock crevices under the surface of the water in streams. Tadpoles can reach a total length of up to 4 cm and are dark brown in colour, with many small gold spots. They often remain at the bottom of water bodies, and take around three months to develop into frogs. Breeds during spring and summer.

Similar Species

Looks similar to Litoria nudidigita in its distribution, but has rougher skin and different side colours.