Green Visitors in Our House

My photo of the frog in the bathtub

Another day living in the bush of Australia. You never know what insect is going to hatch out next and fill the room at night while you have a light on or what creatures are going to come visiting unexpectedly .... Our home was visited by a Green Tree Frog and a Spotted Katydid!. They must have crawled in through the hole in the bottom of the screen door. The green tree frog was in our dining room about a week ago and had a great visit, then it returned again today. Buddha was barking and I went out to see what was up. The frog was baking in the hot sun just outside the front door. I was worried the frog would get chomped, so I brought him inside and Susan put water in the bathtub so it could get a good soak.We had a fantasy that the frog would just hang out for the day in the tub, relaxing in the cool water, but it had other plans. After a quick escape out of the tub, I brought it into our cooler bedroom. It is now hiding in our bedroom, asleep in the corner. I have set out a pan of water for it and we will let it go tonight when it is cool and let him do his hunting. The frog is so beautiful and we feel honored by it's visit. I hope he stays hidden from the dog. There are good reasons that dogs and cats do not belong outside. We try to be sensitive to the fact that this is land for the native species, not our dog.

Also, last night the beautiful luminescent green grasshopper came flying in for a visit. He flew into the room and I took the opportunity to get some photos. I then sent it on it's way outside. Susan likes to point out that he is not the average brown grasshopper that we get in Olympia.

Internet Facts about the Frog and Grasshopper:

Spotted Katydid - Ephippitytha trigintiduoguttata

The Spotted Katydid is a large insect. Spotted Katydids are also known as Mottled Katydids and Speckled Grasshopper. It is green in colour with brown spots on wings resemble chewed leaf. They live on top of gum trees and feed on gum leaves. Male makes short soft calls at night.

This is my photo, not the internet photo.

Litoria Caerulea

The Australian Green Tree Frog, simply Green Tree Frog in Australia, White's Tree Frog, or Dumpy Tree Frog. The Green Tree Frog is larger than most Australian frogs, reaching 10 centimetres (4 inches) in length. The average lifespan of the frog in captivity, about sixteen years, is long in comparison with most frogs. Green Tree Frogs are docile and well suited to living near human dwellings. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light.

Due to its physical and behavioural traits, the Green Tree Frog has become one of the most recognisable frogs in its region, and is a popular exotic pet throughout the world. The skin secretions of the frog have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may prove useful in pharmaceutical preparations.

Stay tuned for more......