Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Genus: Polypedates
Species: P. leucomystax
Identification
The Common Tree Frog (Polypedates leucomystax) or the golden tree frog is a large, active amphibian. Its size ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 inches (3.8 to 8.9 cm) as adults. Males are smaller than females and have a loud call. They have an angular head that comes to a distinct point at the end of their nose.
Like most other tree frogs, they have strong legs and can jump considerable distances. Their color and pattern are variable and range from a solid orange-tan, to a lightly-striped gray with a brown stripe outlining their face, to a highly patterned tan, beige, brown and gray variation with four dark stripes descending from the head down the back. Their ventral side is solid white or cream in color. Many common names are used for Polypedates leucomystax, including golden tree frog, golden foam-nest frog, four-lined tree frog, Asian flying frog, golden flying frog, common tree frog, banana frog and Asian tree frog.
Habitat
These frogs are native to tropical Asia and have a large range that extends from India to the Philippines. It is native to humid jungles, forests, and fields in Asia. This frog is nocturnal, becoming active only at night when it hunts for small insects and other invertebrates. It is also at night when courtship occurs.
Male frogs will gather around any standing water to “woo” the opposite sex. The call has been described as a “low-pitched nasal quack”. Using its sticky, expanded toe pads, a male will climb up the vegetation and call from one spot until a female locates it. The pair then searches for a spot near water and as they mate, a whitish foam nest is formed and attached to twigs, leaves or walls overhanging the water. The eggs and sperm are released into this foam nest where the tadpoles will form. When the sun rises, the foam nest hardens but within a day or two, or when rain falls, it disintegrates, dispersing the tadpoles into the water below.
Location
Mandai Orchid Garden
Singapore
March 2009