Ranoidea citropa (Péron, 1807)

Common Name and Size

Ranoidea citropa, commonly known as the Blue Mountains tree frog, is a moderate-sized frog that reaches up to approximately 60 mm (2.4 in) in length.

Dorsal Surface Markings

Its dorsal surface is brown with a small number of darker flecks.

Lateral Head and Body Stripe

A dark stripe runs from the nostril, above the tympanum, all the way to the groin. A lighter golden stripe sits directly above and adjacent to this dark stripe.

Green Coloration Distribution

The frog's head, arms, legs, and the sides of its body are green. The amount of green on individual frogs can range from almost no green at all to a fully green colour morph.

Green Hue Variation

The green colouration may occasionally be aqua-green.

Ventral and Limb Bright Coloration

The armpit, thigh, groin, and inner section of the foot are bright red-orange, and the belly is white.

Habitat

This species is linked to flowing rocky streams in woodland, and wet or dry sclerophyll forest.

Call Structure

It produces a two-part call: the first part is a strong warrrrrk, followed by several shorter notes that sound like a golf ball dropping into a hole.

Calling Behavior

Males call from streamside vegetation and rocks within the stream from spring through summer, typically after heavy rain.

Common Name Origin

This species is often found in highland areas, especially the Blue Mountains, which is how it got its common name.

Parasites and Predators

Ranoidea citropa is a host for Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mesocoelium, and is preyed on by the Australian copperhead.