The Australian tree frog has a few other names like White’s tree frog, or simply the green tree frog, but it’s this last name we like best – the dumpy tree frog, because it is, well, dumpy. The frog was actually originally known by yet another name, the “blue frog” because a mistake in dead-specimen preservation led to the original specimens appearing to have blue skin.

This species is native to the tropical climates of Australia and New Geinea, and has been introduced to both New Zealand and the United States. It grows to lengths of up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) and actually varies in color from green to white. It possesses antibacterial and antiviral skin, a trait which has helped to make them extremely popular as exotic pets, and even more popular for medical research.

Another interesting characteristic of the green tree frog is its possessing of disks on it toes which help it grip better when climbing. It also takes in oxygen through its skin despite the presence of lungs. In captivity, the green tree frog has been observed living between 16 and 20 years.

The green tree frog is a very calm species that is known to be nocturnal like many a frog species. It enjoys spending its days in cool, moist, and dark dwellings, and its nights hunting prey. It tends to hunt insects, spiders, smaller frogs, and small rodents, usually catching the prey with its sticky tongues and pulling it into its mouth. The frogs itself is preyed on by cnakes, lizards, and birds.