List of amphibians of New Zealand facts for kids

Hochstetter's frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri).

New Zealand is home to some very special frogs! All of the amphibians of New Zealand are either unique frogs found nowhere else, or they are species that have been brought in from other countries. The native frogs belong to a group called Leiopelma. The Māori word for these special frogs is Pepeketua.

New Zealand's Unique Frogs

The native Leiopelma frogs are quite different from most other frogs around the world. They have some very old features that show how frogs might have looked a long time ago.

Here are some of their special traits:

• They have tiny muscles that look like they once helped wag a tail, even though they don't have a tail now.
• Their bones are a bit different from other frogs.
• They have nine bones in their back before the hip, while most frogs only have eight.
• These frogs don't have outside eardrums like many other frogs.
• They also don't make loud croaking sounds. Instead, they make very quiet chirps or squeaks.

Frog Species in New Zealand

New Zealand has both native frogs, which are found only there, and introduced frogs, which arrived from other places.

Native Frogs

New Zealand's native frogs are very rare and special. Some of them are sadly extinct, meaning they no longer exist.

• Archey's frog (Leiopelma archeyi): This is one of the smallest and rarest native frogs.
• Hamilton's frog (Leiopelma hamiltoni): This frog lives in very specific, small areas.
• Hochstetter's frog (Leiopelma hochstetteri): This frog is often found near streams and wet places.
• Aurora frog (Leiopelma auroraensis): This frog is now extinct.
• Markham's frog (Leiopelma markhami): This frog is also extinct.
• Waitomo frog (Leiopelma waitomoensis): This frog is extinct too.

Introduced Frogs

These frogs were brought to New Zealand by people, either on purpose or by accident. Three of these introduced species are still found there today.

• Green and golden bell frog (Ranoidea aurea): This frog is known for its bright colors.
• Growling grass frog (Ranoidea raniformis): This frog makes a sound that can be described as a growl.
• Southern brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii): This is a small tree frog often found in gardens.

See also

• Environment of New Zealand
• Conservation in New Zealand
• Fauna of New Zealand

Images for kids

• 

  Archey's frog

• 

  Hamilton's frog

• 

  Hochstetter's frog

• 

  Green and golden bell frog

• 

  Growling grass frog

• 

  Southern brown tree frog