Australia's renowned export includes the green tree frog, popular as a pet abroad for its resilience, longevity, gentle demeanor, ease of care, large size, and cheerful expression. A TikTok video featuring a seemingly enormous frog, as big as its owner's head, became a sensation wherein it astonished viewers as Lucas Peterson interacted with his massive frog named Dumpy.
However, the content creator, based in Minnesota, clarified that Dumpy, a 4-year-old Australian green tree frog, is actually palm-sized. The video's apparent size was enhanced using Adobe Premiere editing software.
Why Are They Called Dumpy Tree Frogs?
Although commonly known as the White's tree frog, it is also known as the Dumpy tree frog because they are plumpier than most frogs and can get obese when overfed. Hailing from northern and eastern Australia and New Guinea, this frog typically sports green coloration with white underbellies and the potential for white or gold spots.
Dumpy tree frogs are adaptable climbers and possess distinctive yellow eyes, oval-shaped pupils, and a black eye ring. These frogs are often recommended for novice frog owners, known for their docile and sociable nature. Their lengthy lifespan and diverse diet, which can include live prey like baby mice, make them appealing as pets.
Some enthusiasts even seek out rarer blue-skinned and blue-eyed variants. However, their placid temperament might be seen as a drawback by some, as they are primarily characterized by their eating habits.
The frog's ability to exude toxins, including a secretion capable of killing blowflies, accounts for its calm demeanor. This defense mechanism, along with its peanut butter-like scent, deters potential threats.
The frog's relaxation stems from its reliance on toxins rather than rapid evasion, similar to certain butterflies that absorb toxins from plants. This ecological strategy discourages predators from attacking them.
How Big Can the Dumpy Tree Frog Get?
The green tree frog, as the second most common frog in Australia, is a suitable pet due to its hardiness, capable of withstanding the challenges of the outback and captivity. These frogs are primarily bred outside Australia to avoid impacting their native population. While escape incidents have occurred in Florida, they have not yet established breeding populations in the wild.
These frogs are relatively large, typically measuring between 3 to 4.5 inches (7 to 11.5 centimeters) in length. In this species, females are generally slightly larger than males.
They typically have a remarkable potential for living over 20 years, although the average lifespan falls within the range of 7-10 years. While these frogs lack strong defensive mechanisms, their primary protections lie in their ability to camouflage and their impressive leaping capabilities.
Dumpy Tree Frog Reproduction
Dumpy tree frogs reach their sexual maturity at age two. They overindulge in eating during the summer rainy season just before they begin their mating process.
In anticipation of mating, males develop a black thumb pad for a better grip during copulation, which can extend over several days as the female lays her eggs.
The female forcefully ejects her eggs, sending them up to 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) away through the cloud of sperm. A usual clutch comprises 150 to 300 eggs, which, once fertilized, descend to the bottom. Hatching typically initiates within 28 to 36 hours after deposition. In favorable circumstances, metamorphosis can transpire in a span of two to three weeks.
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