Northern Stony-creek Frog

Northern Stony-creek Frog Litoria jungguy

Stony-creek Frogs are actually a complex of closely related species separated from L. lesueuri that differ genetically from one another, (Hoskin & Hero, 2008). They are not that easy to distinguish in the field. L. jungguy and L. wilcox are the ones easily confused in the Kuranda area. L. jungguy is more often found in rainforests so it seems likely that this is the one illustrated here.

The Northern Stony-creek Frog is fairly common on the ground on wet nights. It is frequently seen around the lights where it captures small insects. It can be fairly large- 39-71 mm but this is a small individual. These frogs sit motionless on the ground for long periods. All you can observe moving is the sides of the thorax as the frog breathes. I’ve always thought they are sitting ducks for hungry Cane Toads, Bufo marinus, that are in the same habitat, only more numerous. Although the Stony-creek frogs are excellent jumpers, attaining more than 1 metre with a single hop, once the Cane Toad has grasped one, there is little chance for escape.

The Northern Stony-Creek Frog lays hundreds of eggs along the shores of rainforest streams between August and May.

Reference
Hoskin, C., Hero, J.-M. 2008. Rainforest Frogs of the Wet Tropics North-east Australia.
Griffith University. Gold Coast, Australia. Pp. 1-89.