Margarets Pages - my Australia series
AUSTRALIA ...  Frogs  & Lizards
Australia has some wonderful native frog species and here I show some of them.  Further down are the LIZARDS .
The bright enamelled look of the CORROBOREE FROG makes it the most easily recognisable native frog.  It is found only in the Australian Alps (southern New South Wales/north-eastern Victoria, in the marshlands above the treeline.
The EASTERN TREE FROG inhabits swamps and creek of the central east coast of Australia  (left)
(Right) the GREAT BARRED FROG is a strong well-built specimen and lives on the rainforest floors.
GIANT TREE FROG found in the tropical  far north east of Australia, is an efficient climber, with large pads on the fingers and toes.
It can grow to about 20cm (8 inches) and is either bright green or brown.
The DAINTY GREEN TREE FROG is found on vegetation beside coastal streams and is very small, average length about 4.5 cm. This species as distinctive colouring, and large finger and toe discs to help with climbing.
The RED-EYES TREE FROG likes very damp conditions on our north-east coast, and even there it is usually seen only after rain.  Its bright red  eyes and splashes of contrasting colours on the thights make it easy to identify.
The Northern Banjo Frog grows to 7.9 cm.  It lives in woodland and rainforest from Cape York to northern New South Wales
The Red & Yellow Mountain-frog lives in the rainforest of southeast Queensland and northeastern NSW.  It's large eggs are laid in a pool under a rock.
The Australian Bullfrog makes a ducklike, quacking sound.  Seen mostly at night in grass near permanent water.
Just a few of our LIZARDS shown here - varying from very tiny to large!
An EASTERN BLUE-TONGUED LIZARD up close, showing the blue colour of tongue.
This is a ground-dweller, but prefers the forests and woodlands in the less arid areas.
The RING-TAILED GECKO cleans the permanent dry "spectacle" that covers its eye.  This lizard frequents the edge of the rainforest areas of Queensland.
The COPPER TAILED SKINK is a striking creature found in suburban backyards.  Lives in areas from heathland to forest, and likes rocky areas where it hides in crevices.
The rare BRONZEBACK is a legless lizard found in northern  areas of South Australia.
The SAND MONITOR, one of our larger lizards is a ground-dweller which shelters in burrows or hollow logs.
It ranges over a wide area in search of its food, and is found in many areas from sandy desert to coastal forest.
on left  we have a FRILLED LIZARD which displays its large neck ruffle by opening its mouth wide.  This creature is found in dry forests and woodlands of the north of Australia and was featured on our 2 cent coins (which have in recent years been withdrawn from our currency circulation).
Dragon Lizards are some of our most spectacular reptiles, living in a  variety of habitats.
This adult BEARDED DRAGON has a pouch or beard-edged with long spiny scales and is found on the eastern side of the Australian mainland.
The Western Netted Ground-dragon changes colour and pattern as it ages.
Boyd's Forest Dragon is camouflaged in the rainforest.
This species grows to 50 cm and lives in the forests of north-east Queensland.
2 Perenties's fighting for territory.  These are the largest Australian Monitors, and grow to 2.5 m in length and weigh up to 15 kg.  Found mostly from central Western Australian coast to inland Australia.
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