Litoria cyclorhyncha, one big happy frog.

The Spotted-thighed Frog is friendly and always ready for a goodtime.

In an earlier post I featured the Moaning Frog "8. How did the Moaning Frog get its name?

http://natureitems.blogspot.com/2006/11/how-did-moaning-frog-get-its-name.html and illustrated the pitfalls of their stressful life. However with the Spotted-thighed Frog, the situation is fortunately reversed.

This frog is one of the Tree-frogs, but is probably just as active on the ground. There are over sixty Litoria species in Australia, with close to twenty in WA, but most live in the wetter northern regions. Around Esperance we have two, the Slender Tree-frog (from an earlier blog) "7. Do frogs adapt their colouration?"

http://natureitems.blogspot.com/2006/10/do-frogs-adapt-their-colouration.html and this one, the Spotted-thighed Frog.

A relaxed handsome Spotted-thighed Frog.

The only other tree-frog from the genus Litoria in this part of the world, is the closely related Motorbike Frog, Litoria moorei, which is found exclusively to the west of Albany and around the wetter near coastal regions to Kalbarri (500 km north of Perth). They look identical, except the Motorbike Frog does not have the spots on the thighs like the southeastern Spotted-thighed Frog.

When the frog is sitting normally the spots usually cannot be seen, but when swimming they are obvious and contrast brightly against the black inside leg color (another feature of this frog).

The spotted-thighed frog is not only friendly, but also quick to take advantage of anything that can make life more pleasant. I have had up to five frogs soaking up the water as if they were in a sauna.

Naturally intelligent and quick to take advantage of circumstances, they can do very well for themselves.

As the spotted-thighed frog requires open water to lay its eggs, it is generally found close to permanent, or at least seasonally flooded areas. However, it is very hardy and can tolerate prolonged dry periods by remaining hidden and inactive during periods of low humidity (frogs absorb water through their skin).

During the cooler wetter months, these tree-frogs remain active on most nights, with some seeking the limelight by being obnoxiously obvious. Nevertheless, nothing gets in the way of breeding and the following jolly call is common around swamps and waterholes during spring.

http://frogsaustralia.net.au/frogs/calls/qt/litoria_cyclorhyncha.mov
My thanks to the Australian Frog Database

These frogs will eat most invertebrates and the best hunting grounds tend to be closer to the ground, so it is at these lower levels they are more commonly found.

Spotted-thighed Frog, Litoria cyclorhyncha

Nevertheless, when predators like snakes also share these lower elevations, finding a comfy spot on a Banksia speciosa flower high off the ground, is not a bad place to be, providing you keep a lookout for the dreaded Tawny Frogmouth.

It may astonish some people, but frogs can lead interesting and exciting lives, plus adapt surprisingly quickly to take advantage of any introductions to their local environment. Having several frog species means your local environment is varied and in good condition, as habitat diversity will attract numerous insects to eat and provide cool places to hide during the day. So why not brighten your day and make a friendly frog near you happy!