Confined to tropical Northern Queensland rainforests, between Cooktown and Townsville, Orange-thighed Tree Frogs (Litoria xanthomera) live in the upper-canopy and descend to the ground only to breed. Emerging only after heavy rains, these beautiful tree frogs can be conveniently observed only four or five nights of the year.
Courting rituals are very noisy and may be heard for hundreds of metres through dense rainforest. Only males vocalize and it would seem to be the smaller males that out-compete for the affections of the females through their higher frequency, more energy-efficient and sustained serenading.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD is a critical thinker with expertise in the scientific method.
Are these real photographs? How beautiful!
And how do you know that the “smaller males” are more successful?
Jennifer! Of course they are real photographs!
I thought their exquisite beauty would contrast nicely with Ann’s previous graphic portrayal of an uglier side of human impact.
Different frog species compete in different ways. With Northern barred frogs http://www.jennifermarohasy.com/blog/archives/001835.html it is the louder, deeper calls that win the day.
Most of my knowledge is accumulated through a sustained immersion (fourteen-years of nightly scrutiny now), but I also read what I can.
Hi Neil,
I love the colour composition light green / orange! COOL!!!
Re nice and disturbing pics. I had a discussion with Travis on the topic on another thread. Some NGOs want to ban disturbing pics on their sites, because people complained. They have now ” nicer” versions. Travis thought this was wrong. But I really undersatnd that some pics/ videos could be unbearable…
The world is not always a pretty place. Too often we sanitize it with what is deemed more appropriate whilst the kids sit in front of their X-Box violently killing their opponents ad mum and dad watch CSI track down a serial rapist.
Your hedgehog picture is ‘unbearable’, but as visual creatures this is the way we receive information on what our actions can do, and hopefully awareness will make a difference.
Beautiful Photo’s indeed, I am most fortunate to live in kuranda QLD and have these frogs as my guests. Early January and they are going through their mating rituals now. discovered about a dozen within meters of each other and warming to see the results, Eggs all through a small pond. Love this part of the world and love the wildlife.
I live on the mid north coast of NSW 20 kms west of Coffs Harbour and we have had many orange thighed tree frogs mating on our property over the last few days. We have had a lot of rain and live in the mountains in rainforest. Have there been any other reports of them being so far from Far North QLD?