Threatened frogs of the Lower Hunter

The insect-eating frogs of the Hunter Valley play a key role in controlling mosquitoes, flies, and spiders. Frogs are one of the most threatened animal groups in the world and are most easily identified by the sounds they make.

Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea)Frog populations are declining around the world for a range of reasons, including habitat degradation and disease.

Frogs absorb oxygen and other compounds through their skin. This makes them sensitive to pesticides, herbicides and skin conditions such as chytrid fungus.

Exotic plague minnows can predate on eggs and tadpoles, placing heavy pressure on frog populations at all their life stages.

Alleviating these threats is critical to ensuring the survival of frogs into the future.

 

Help save our threatened frogs

You can help save our threatened frogs by doing a few simple things:

  • plant native shrubs and groundcover in your garden to provide shelter
  • build a frog pond in your garden
  • look out for frogs when driving in the rain at night
  • keep our waterways clean – wash your car on the lawn, and don't put oils, paints, and petrochemicals down the drain
  • don't touch frogs – this will help prevent the spread of diseases
  • download the FrogID app to identify the frogs in your garden and help count Australia's frogs.