Sloane’s froglet (Crinia sloanei) A small ground-dwelling . Typically found in periodically inundated grasslands, woodlands and disturbed habitats in far northern Victoria and central New OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN South Wales. Size: 5.3 cm. Australia has 217 identified of native frogs and 53 of these occur in the Murray–Darling Basin. These species live in Southern corroboree frog a variety of habitats including on the ground, in trees, wetlands, (Pseudophryne corroboree) Giant banjo frog, great bullfrog Arguably Australia’s most visually alpine bogs and burrows. This poster features 18 frogs from a (Limnodynastes interioris) appealing frog. It is critically endangered A large, powerful burrower confined to central and restricted to the Snowy Mountains of range of habitats in the Basin. NSW and northern Victoria. Size: 10 cm New South Wales. Size: 3 cm. Frogs are often good indicators of environmental pollution. Adult frogs drink and breathe through a semi-permeable skin, and Barking marsh frog (Limnodynastes fletcheri) tadpoles breathe through gills. This means water and airborne Sometimes called the long- thumbed frog. In dry times, pollutants can easily enter the blood of both adult frogs and large numbers congregate under leaf litter. Found in all tadpoles. These pollutants may then have toxic effects, ultimately areas of the Basin. Size: 5 cm. leading to population decline.

Wrinkled toadlet (Uperoleia rugosa) Found throughout the north-east areas of the Basin, its skin secretions include a compound which can lower blood pressure in humans. Size: 3.5 cm. Sudell’s frog, common spadefoot toad (Neobatrachus sudelli) Broad-palmed frog, Gunther’s frog Sharp, blade-like projections (Litoria latopalmata) on the underside of the feet A terrestrial frog found in the northern aid burrowing. Size: 4 cm. half of the Murray–Darling Basin. (Litoria alboguttata) Size: 4 cm. A slender burrowing frog associated with temporary pools and flooded claypans. Southern bell frog, Widespread in Queensland and extending into northern NSW. Size: 6.5 cm. growling grass frog (Litoria raniformis) Short-footed frog A large endangered species (Cyclorana brevipes) of frog that includes other A burrowing frog with striping frogs in its diet. Populations and highly variable markings. are usually found around Found in the north-east parts permanent water in parts of of the Basin. Size: 5 cm. Wide-mouthed frog, New Holland frog the southern areas of the (Cyclorana novaehollandiae) Basin. Size: 9.5 cm. A large distinctive burrowing species found in the northern Basin. Size: 10 cm.

Green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) One of Australia’s most widely distributed and best loved frogs. It is found throughout the QLD and NSW parts of the Basin. A popular and long living ‘pet’. Size: 10 cm.

Rocky river frog, Lesueur’s frog Spotted grass/marsh (Litoria lesueurii) frog Common around rocky (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) flowing creeks along the One of the most common Peron’s tree frog Great Dividing Range, (Litoria peronii) frogs in the Murray–Darling from Victoria to northern Basin. Size: 4 cm. Water–holding frog Sometimes known as Queensland. Size: 6.5 cm. (Cyclorana platycephala) the maniacal cackle frog Survives dry periods in the because of its call. It has ground encapsulated in a distinctive cross-shaped cocoon. Desert Aborigines pupils. Found throughout used it as an emergency the eastern parts of the Crucifix toad, holy cross toad water supply. Size: 6 cm. Basin. Size: 6 cm. (Notaden bennetti) Eastern sign-bearing froglet, plains froglet Associated with black soil areas of (Crinia parinsignifera) the central Basin. One of a group of very similar small frogs. Usually Images: A burrowing frog which exudes a found in flooded woodland and grassland, extending Gunther Schmida, David Kleinert, thick cream chemical substance from from the east coast of QLD, through NSW to the River Cameron Slatyer (SEWPaC) its skin if disturbed. Size: 5 cm. Murray in South Australia. Size: 2 cm Thanks to: Will Osborne

Frog and Reptile poster A1 140416.indd 1 16/04/2014 11:28:10 AM Nobbi dragon (Amphibolurus nobbi) Found in dry eucalypt forest, rocky ridges, coastal heathland, mallee and dry scrubland. Favours the central areas of the REPTILES Basin from south-east Queensland through OF THE MURRAY–DARLING BASIN to the border areas of South Australia. Reptiles are a group of air breathing, cold-blooded vertebrates Sand goanna (Varanus gouldii) which are characterised by having skin covered in scales and/ Most widespread and abundant goanna, found over most of the or external bony scales and plates called scutes. Murray–Darling inland Basin. Forages widely over carpet python most dry open habitats. The Murray–Darling Basin supports 149 identified reptiles, (Morelia spilota) Found throughout the including 46 snakes, 100 lizards and three species of Murray–Darling Basin. Non-venomous snakes that freshwater turtle. Reptiles play an essential role in constrict their prey, they are generally a silvery-grey with maintaining ecosystem balance throughout the Basin. darker lines and blotches.

Common dwarf skink Bynoe’s gecko (Menetia greyii) (Heteronotia binoei) One of Australia’s most Occurs in dry open habitats widespread and abundant throughout the Basin. Often lizards, it occurs in most the most abundant reptile regions of the Murray– Eastern bearded dragon in arid areas. Darling Basin. A secretive (Pogona barbata) species found in grassland Found in woodlands and forest and grassy woodland. in the eastern half of the Basin. One of Australia’s most familiar reptiles, due to its size and widespread occurrence in populated areas. Eastern ctenotus (Ctenotus orientalis) Mostly found in dry woodlands and shrublands in the semiarid Murray River short-necked turtle Gippsland water dragon and temperate areas of the southern Basin. (Emydura macquarii) (Physignathus lesueurii howittii) Also known as the Murray turtle and the Found near creeks, rivers and lakes in Macquarie turtle, this species is one of three forests, woodlands, grasslands of the native freshwater turtles in the Basin. It is south–eastern areas of the Basin. found only in the lowland rivers of the Basin. Usually seen on rocks, logs or overhanging branches.

Shingleback lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) Found in dry to arid areas of the Basin in most open habitats, Eastern brown like mallee woodlands snake; common and shrublands. brown snake Very robust (Pseudonaja textilis) with a broad Widespread through dry triangular parts of the Basin in virtually all head, short Highlands copperhead habitats except forests and alps. It is blunt tail (Austrelaps ramsayi) highly venomous, extremely swift, alert, and large Prefers moist habitats and quick to retaliate if provoked. scales. in montane heaths, woodlands, creek edges and marshes in cool highland areas Common blue-tongued lizard of Victoria and NSW. Burton’s legless lizard It is the only large (Tiliqua scincoides) Red-bellied black snake (Lialis burtonis) Found in a wide variety of habitats in (Pseudechis porphyriacus) venomous snake found Most widespread reptile in the above the snow line. the Basin including coastal woodlands, Associated with moist areas Basin, absent only from cool high montane forests and semiarid grasslands. such as swamps and river altitudes of the Great Dividing Range, They are easily recognised by their bright banks, throughout the Tasmania and parts of the blue tongue and are amongst the largest eastern parts of the Basin. southern mainland. skinks in the world. One of Australia’s most Common death adder familiar and attractive (Acanthophis antarcticus) snakes, it is venomous Habitats range from although usually not rainforests to shrublands aggressive. and heaths in the NSW parts of the Basin. Adult death adders are rarely longer than a Images: metre in length. Gunther Schmida, Arthur Mostead

Thanks to: Will Osborne

Frog and Reptile poster A1 140416.indd 2 16/04/2014 11:28:49 AM