Frogs
With more than 200 species, Australia has one of the most diverse range of frogs in the world. Frogs live in the most varied of our country environments, from rainforests and mountains to deserts. However, they are sensitive to change in their environment.
Most common frogs live in or around fresh water. Many need water to breed, although a small puddle can be enough. Their thin, permeable skin is not waterproof, which means they can lose a lot of body moisture on warm days. For this reason, frogs are most active at night, when they will hop about in search of food or a mate. During the day, they find a hiding spot and wait until the heat and light of the sun have passed.
The thin, porous skin of frogs and tadpoles makes them sensitive creatures. Through this skin, they absorb chemicals from the air and water. For this reason, frogs are good indicators of environmental damage.
If you hear many frogs in an area, it means that the local environment is likely to be unspoiled. However, in areas where water or air pollution have occurred, the local frog community will be affected and there are likely to be very few frogs. On some mining and industrial sites, surveys of frogs in the local area have been used to detect accidental pollution of waterways.
The life cycle of a frog
Find out how frogs breed, and how tadpoles metamorphose into frogs.
Threats to frogs
Find out what's harming our frogs - habitat loss, fungal infection, pollution, introduced fish species, cane toads and more.
Keeping frogs or tadpoles
Find out how to get an OEH amphibian keeper's licence.
Become a frog spy!
See how you can start looking out for frogs and helping to protect them.
Useful links and frog resources
Get other frog information on this website, visit other frog-related websites, and see books and other resources that are worth getting hold of.
Page last updated: 15 April 2011
