The Orange-eyed (or thighed) Treefrog

The recent deluge has brought havoc to the human community but there are some that find it a delight. With each downpour it seems a different frog species is activated into breeding behaviour.

Meet the Orange-eyed Treefrog, Litoria xanthomera, length about 50 mm. This little frog shows up after heavy rains at this time of year and forms rather noisy choruses along ditches well away from streams at night. Listen to the call of this frog. But look carefully. You'll see a tiny fly parasite biting the frog as it vocalises in the rain.