Meet Our Animals

Golden Bell Frog

Litoria aurea

Names and Personal History:
Shiner: We adopted him from a past animal care specialist, who purchased him from a pet store because he was not being cared for properly, in 2001.

Native Habitat:
Eastern and southeastern Australia.
Environment: Open-water ponds and swamps with dense vegetation.

Physical Characteristics:
5 to 20 cm, dull to bright green, with variable blotches of gold. They have a light dorsilateral fold. Their toes are webbed and they have toe-pads for climbing. Hidden by his back legs along his sides and thighs are patches of beautiful iridescent blue. These are called ‘flash colors’ and are thought to confuse predators when the frog leaps away. Golden Bell Frogs are in decline in Australia, due to habitat destruction and use as fish bait. Adults have a distinctive call that sounds like a raven or a motorbike changing gears.

Diet:
Like most frogs Golden Bells are mainly insectivores but again like most other frogs will consume anything they can fit in their mouths.