Crinia signifera Girard, 1853

Common Name and Size

Crini signifera, commonly known as the common eastern froglet, is a small frog that reaches approximately 3 centimetres in length.

General Color and Marking Variability

Individuals range in colour from brown or grey across various shades, and have extremely variable markings, with great variation typically found even within confined local populations.

Distinct Facial and Limb Markings

A distinct dark triangular marking is located on the upper lip, and the legs bear darker bands. A small white spot sits at the base of each arm.

Skin Surface Variability

Both the dorsal (back) and ventral (belly) surfaces of the species are highly variable.

Dorsal Surface Characteristics

The dorsal surface may be smooth, warty, or marked with longitudinal skin folds, and its colour can be dark brown, fawn, light grey, or dark grey.

Ventral Surface Characteristics

The ventral surface shares a similar base colour to the dorsal surface, but is mottled with white spots.

Geographic Distribution

The common eastern froglet’s distribution covers southeastern Australia, spanning from Adelaide to Melbourne, and extending north along the eastern coast to Brisbane. It also lives across most of Tasmania.

Habitat Occupation

It is one of the most frequently encountered frog species within its range, because it can successfully occupy many different habitat types.

Breeding Male Calling Behavior

During the breeding season, male common eastern froglets call in large choruses near still water sources or slow-flowing creeks. The male’s call is a repeated crik-crik-crik, and can be heard year-round, in both wet and dry conditions.

Egg Laying Characteristics

On average, females lay 100 to 150 eggs in small clusters, which are attached to submerged vegetation.

Egg and Tadpole Water Temperature

Eggs and tadpoles survive in water that is 14 to 15 °C.

Tadpole Appearance

Tadpoles are typically brown, and grow to around 36 millimetres in length.

Average Tadpole Development Period

Tadpole development into adult frogs is relatively short, taking between 2.5 and 3 months on average, though the duration can change depending on environmental conditions.

Development Period at Constant Temperature

At a constant water temperature of 15 °C, development can take anywhere from 6 weeks to more than 3 months.

Newly Metamorphosed Froglet Size

Newly metamorphosed froglets are very small, measuring around 8 millimetres.

Diet Characteristics

This species feeds on small insects, which are much smaller relative to the frog’s body size than the prey eaten by most other frog species.