Amphibians
White-Lipped Tree Frog
Litoria infrafrenata · also called giant tree frog
A deep, unmistakable bark rings out from the rainforest canopy after dark, a sound so dog-like that first-time visitors to New Guinea or northern Australia rarely guess it belongs to a frog, let alone the largest tree frog on the planet.
Overview
The white-lipped tree frog, Litoria infrafrenata, is the largest tree frog species in the world, native to rainforest and wetland habitat across New Guinea, nearby Indonesian islands, and the Cape York Peninsula of northern Australia. Its crisp white lip stripe, remarkable size, and deep, dog-like call make it one of the most immediately recognisable frogs found anywhere in its range.
A giant among tree frogs
While most tree frogs are small enough to sit comfortably on a fingertip, the white-lipped tree frog grows large enough that its size alone, combined with its bold white jawline, makes misidentification almost impossible for anyone who gets a clear look.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable rainforest and wetland habitat throughout New Guinea, nearby Indonesian islands, and northern Australia.
White-Lipped Tree Frog: common questions
How big does a white-lipped tree frog get?
This species is the largest tree frog in the world, with large females reaching lengths of around 14 centimetres, considerably bigger than almost any other species of tree frog found anywhere, a size that sets it apart even among its closest relatives in the same genus.
Why does the white-lipped tree frog have a white stripe?
A distinctive white line runs along the lower jaw of this species from the tip of the snout back to the shoulder, a clean, high-contrast marking that gives the species its common name and makes it relatively easy to distinguish from other green tree frogs sharing its rainforest habitat.
What does a white-lipped tree frog sound like?
The male produces a loud, deep call often described by observers as sounding remarkably like a barking dog, a distinctive and somewhat startling sound for a species this size, quite unlike the higher-pitched calls typical of most other frog species.
Where does the white-lipped tree frog live?
This species is native to rainforest and wetland habitat across New Guinea, several nearby Indonesian islands, and the Cape York Peninsula of northern Australia, generally staying well up in trees and vegetation except when breeding in nearby still or slow-moving water.