Australian Green Tree Frog: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Wild Mix · day 3 of 4

Five facts

1. In danger, this frog lets out a scream to frighten its attacker. If you touch it, it squeaks.
2. Calm and at home near people, these frogs often sit on window sills or come indoors to snap up insects drawn to the lights.
3. A green tree frog's skin secretion contains 25 caerins, peptides with antibacterial and antiviral properties.
4. It was first called the blue frog despite being green. Specimens sent to England were damaged by preservative and looked blue.
5. Its call is a deep, slow 'brawk-brawk-brawk' repeated over and over, and it calls most after rain.

The quiz

1. What does a green tree frog do when it is in danger?

• Plays dead
• Screams to scare off its foe (correct)
• Digs a burrow
• Turns blue

It screams to frighten its attacker when in danger.

2. Where are green tree frogs often found, eating insects drawn by the light?

• In deep caves
• On the ocean shore
• In open deserts
• On window sills or inside houses (correct)

They often sit on window sills or come indoors, where lights draw insects.

3. How many caerins does the frog's skin secretion contain?

• 5
• 10
• 25 (correct)
• 250

The secretion contains 25 caerins.

4. Why did the frog look blue in England?

• The preservative damaged the specimens (correct)
• It was painted
• It lived in cold water
• It was a different species

Preservative damaged the specimens sent to England, so they appeared blue.

5. When are green tree frogs particularly vocal?

• At noon
• After rain (correct)
• In winter only
• During snowfall

They are particularly vocal after rain.

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