New Zealand only has seven native or introduced frog species. Here are 5 tips to help you know if you are looking at a native or introduced frog.
New Zealand is a country full of absolutely breathtaking landscapes, beautiful trees, and native animals. I’ve spent a lot of time exploring this country on foot and looking for all kinds of native animals, such as wetas, keas, and yes, frogs. I will admit that I’ve had better luck seeing some (keas and wetas) than others (the frogs are not very common). In case you are lucky enough to see a frog here are some tips to help you know if it’s a native or introduced one.
New Zealand’s Frogs
Just as a reminder, there are 7 species of frogs in New Zealand. 4 of those 7 are native and the other 3 are introduced. You can read this other post to get more information about all 7 species of frogs that you may see in New Zealand.
5 Tips To Distinguish A Native Or Introduced Frog
Do You See A Tadpole?
This may sound surprising, but New Zealand’s native frogs do not have a tadpole stage, at least a free swimming stage. The native frogs go through the tadpole stage while still in the egg. When they emerge they are already a froglet. Thus, if you see a tadpole in a pond or water somewhere then that is one of the introduced frogs.
Where Are You?
The native frogs are associated with the native forests and can be found in native forest habitats. On the other hand, the introduced species are more often found in open areas or in ponds. Thus, the area that you see the frog will give you a clue as to whether or not the frog is native or introduced. If you are in the forest then probably a native frog, but if you are in an open meadow then probably an introduced species.
Do You Hear The Frog Croaking?
Duh, all frogs croak, right? Actually, no. The native frogs do not make noise. Thus, if you hear the frog making noise and croaking at night then you are hearing an introduced frog.
Do You See An Eardrum?
Only the introduced frog species have an external opening on the side of the frog’s head that serves as an ear. The native species do not have this. This seems to go along with the fact that the introduced frogs make noise and the native ones don’t.
When Do You See It?
The native frogs are only active at night. In contrast, two of the introduced frog species are active both at night and during the day. Thus, if you see a frog during the day then you can be certain that you are looking at an introduced species.