Southern brown tree frog
Habitat
wetlands, cool temperate open grasslands, heathlands, forest and farmland.
Physical characteristics
This species of frogs is found in a wide range of habitats, including forests, farmland, heathland, semi arid areas, alpine regions, and suburban areas. They are particularly common in parts of suburban Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hobart, where they are often observed upon windowpanes at night, attracted by flying insects. Males make a whistling noise to call from beside or floating in the water of dam impoundments, ditches, ponds, and stream-side pools.
Southern brown tree frogs are small to medium-sized frogs, reaching up to 50 mm in length.
Natural selection
Southern brown tree frogs have especially adapted to the places where they live and their colouring is often dependent on their habitat. Many different frog species that live in the same types of habitats have similar colourings that help them hide from potential predators. Their webbed feet have also helped them adapt to water.
Poison dart frogs
Habitat
Wet, tropical rain forests of Central and South America.
Physical characteristics
Poison dart frogs have a variety of bright colors—yellows, oranges, reds, greens, blues—poison dart frogs aren’t just big show-offs either. Those colorful designs tell potential predators that they are really poisonous. For example, the golden poison dart frog has enough poison to kill a bunch of mice. Scientists think that poison dart frogs get their toxicity from some of the insects they eat.
Poison dart frogs are as small as a paper clip.
Natural selection
Golden poison dart frogs are best known for their extremely strong poison. They have extremely strong toxins, to the point that they are twenty times more powerful than any other poison dart frog toxin. Their brightly colored bodies warn predators of their extreme toxicity. This serves as the frog’s main anti-predator adaptation.
About the author
Joaquin Dela Cruz
Joaquin is 10 years old and lives in Australia. He is currently in year 4. Joaquin loves reading chapter books like 52 storey tree house. He also enjoys swimming, basketball, soccer, and drawing pictures. He just joined Bubots this month, March 2025. He now enjoys writing and is now looking forward to attending his Bubot’s class every day to help him improve his writing skills.