The common tree frog (Polypedates leucomystax) is not really that common compared to the more ubiquitous frogs that croak when the rains come. I encountered this frog in unlikely places: inside the drawer of our old sewing machine, between the window panes, at the back of our wall clock, at our laundry area and of course on a tree where its color blend. It would spring high and land unpredictably to almost any surface firmly fixed because of its round tipped fingers that act like suction cups. My wife used to be alarmed when she sees one, fearing it would land on her and give her goose bumps. I would respond bringing my camera with me. 

The common tree frog that made the hinged portion of our window its home.

The common tree frog just that lived behind our wall clock and alarmed my wife.

The intrusion of tree frogs in our abode means that their natural habitat has been lost. It would rather be that we’re the unnatural intruders in their natural habitat because once, the place where we live is just a wetland during rainy months that dries up during summer months. We could hear the deafening sound of frogs whenever the rains come.

Morphological Characteristics

The common tree frog found in our place is golden brown in appearance with bands of greenish brown stripes running oblique its arms and legs, and longitudinally along its body. A characteristic feature is its round tipped finger that sticks on any surface it lands. It has black eyes that gets closed horizontally by a brown lid. Immediately behind the eyes is the eardrum, a membrane surrounded by a cartilage ring, that looks like a second eye. The biggest I’ve seen is eight centimeters long (from tip of head to the anus). It has extensive webbing between the toes indicating its propensity to swim.

Natural Habitat

The place where we live is usually inundated during wet months. The place is dominated by growths of bangkal (Nauclea orientalis) with some growths of hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata) and cogon (Imperata cylindrica). Also, inyam (Antidesma ghaesembilla) are common.

Distribution

The frog can be found in practically all islands in the Philippines except Palawan. However, I am convinced this one is P. leucomystax based on description and appearance as I searched the internet. So I would add Palawan as its range although I stand corrected as I am not a herpetologist. Description of P. macrotis, found in Palawan and Jolo Islands, does not match the specimen I photographed.

Biology and Distribution

Polypedates are known to breed all-year round. This frogs call is a widely-spaced quack. The females deposit 100-400 eggs in oval-shaped foam nests and the larvae are opportunistic predators (Yorke 1983). 

Status

These frogs are common, widely distributed and could tolerate humans in their habitat so they are not endangered.

References

Alcala, A. C., 1986. Guide to the Philippine Flora and Fauna. Quezon City: Natural Resources Management Center, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines. 195 pp.

Herpwatch Philippines, 2009. Polypedates leucomystax. Retrieved on October 18, 2009 at http://www.herpwatch.org/species.shtml?species_id=402.

Yorke, C. (1983). “Survival of embryos and larvae of the frog Polypedates leucomystax in Malaysia.” Journal of Herpetology, 17 (3), 235-241.