Amphibians are some of Australia’s most intriguing and overlooked animals. Living between water and land, they play a vital role in healthy ecosystems, acting as both predator and prey, and serving as sensitive indicators of environmental change. From coastal swamps to inland billabongs and alpine streams, frogs and other amphibians can be found in a surprising range of habitats across the country.

What is an amphibian?

Amphibians are vertebrate animals that typically begin life in water and later move onto land. Most Australian species are frogs, which start as eggs, hatch into tadpoles and eventually transform into adults with lungs and limbs. Their thin, permeable skin allows them to absorb water and oxygen, but also makes them vulnerable to pollution, habitat loss and disease.

Amphibians in the Australian landscape

Australia’s amphibians have adapted to a wide variety of environments, from tropical rainforests and temperate woodlands to arid inland regions where frogs survive in temporary pools and underground refuges. Many species are active at night, calling from wetlands, creeks and garden ponds after rain. Their presence often signals a healthy, functioning ecosystem.

Why amphibians matter

Amphibians help control insect populations, provide food for birds, reptiles and mammals, and contribute to the natural balance of waterways and wetlands. Because they are highly sensitive to changes in water quality, climate and habitat, declines in frog populations can be an early warning sign of broader environmental stress.

Threats and conservation

Across Australia, amphibians face pressures from land clearing, pollution, introduced predators, climate change and diseases such as chytrid fungus. Conservation efforts focus on protecting wetlands, restoring habitat, monitoring populations and raising awareness of the importance of frogs and other amphibians in the landscape.