Story: Frogs

Whistling frog

A native of south-eastern Australia and Tasmania, the brown whistling frog is the smallest of the three introduced frogs. Eggs are laid under water and hatch into free-swimming tadpoles, unlike the native species. Its call is a familiar sound on the South Island’s West Coast, as well as on Stewart Island and in wet areas of the lower North Island.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10036453

by D. Garrick

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How to cite this page

Paddy Ryan, Frogs – Introduced frogs, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/natural-sounds/9993/whistling-frog (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Paddy Ryan, published 1 March 2009.

Comments

Jacqui Moreton
03 September 2012

We have these wee frogs doing well here at our property and I have quite a passion for them, so thank you for sharing the pictures and info you have, keep up the good work regards Jacqui