The White Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) is a large, docile, and recognizable amphibian, often called the Australian Green Tree Frog. In the pet trade, it is sometimes referred to as the Dumpy Tree Frog. The species is highly adaptable, allowing it to thrive in a range of environments across its vast natural homeland.
Native Geography
The wild distribution of the White Tree Frog is confined almost entirely to the Australo-Papuan region. The species is found across northern and eastern Australia, with its range extending from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, through the Northern Territory, and down the eastern coast into New South Wales. The frog’s territory also encompasses the island of New Guinea, spanning both Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces of West Papua.
Its wide geographical range is generally restricted to areas that receive high rainfall or possess permanent water bodies. The frogs have adapted to environments ranging from moist, tropical rainforests to seasonally dry savannas and woodlands.
Specific Habitat Preferences
The White Tree Frog is an arboreal species, using its large toe pads to climb and cling to surfaces. In forested areas, it typically seeks shelter in tree hollows, under bark, or within dense foliage where moisture is retained. The frog’s skin is specialized to adjust to drier conditions, helping it survive in less continuously humid environments than many other amphibians.
The species demonstrates a behavior known as synanthropy, indicating its ability to live successfully in close association with humans. In suburban and agricultural areas, these frogs frequently move into man-made structures that offer shelter and humidity. Common urban hiding spots include water pipes, rain gutters, water tanks, and sheltered window sills.
They are also often found near outdoor lights, where they wait to ambush the insects attracted to the light source. For breeding, the frogs require permanent or temporary standing water, such as ponds, flooded ditches, or man-made reservoirs, where they lay their eggs. This reliance on accessible water sources for reproduction often draws them toward human settlements.
Life Outside the Wild
The species’ calm temperament and hardiness have made it widely popular in the global exotic pet trade. As a result, the White Tree Frog is now kept in controlled, captive environments across North America, Europe, and Asia, accounting for the majority of the species’ existence outside of its native range.
While some individuals may escape or be released by owners, established feral populations are generally rare outside of their indigenous distribution. The most notable occurrence of a self-sustaining population outside of its native range is in Florida, United States, where the species was introduced. The overall global presence of the White Tree Frog remains predominantly within its native Australo-Papuan habitat or in human care.