Australia is home to 760 species of reptiles and 200 frogs.
Click on any of the species on the left hand menu to find out more about them and the Foundation's efforts to conserve them.
Our reptiles include snakes, lizards, crocodiles and turtles. Their scaly skin minimises water loss, and many are adapted to coping with arid, inland areas, heat and even drought.
Most desert dwelling reptiles will hide from the heat of the day deep down in a burrow and only emerge after dark to feed. To avoid become trapped in a burrow or pursued into it by a predator, some reptiles dig long and complex burrow systems with holes to let in air and escape routes. Others will block up entrances to their burrows or strategically hide them beneath shrubs so they are not so easily seen going in and out.
Reptiles and amphibians are cold blooded species that do not produce enough heat to maintain a constant body temperature. As a result most reptiles and amphibians typically live in warmer climates, where they are more easily able to sun themselves to increase their body temperatures so they can remain active. Cold blooded species need much less food to survive than warm blooded animals. When it is too cold for reptiles and amphibians to function, their metabolism slows and they enter a state of torpor. This enables them to conserve energy and also to survive for long periods without food or water.
In cool conditions reptiles are often sluggish. They need to warm themselves in the morning sun in order to function at their full speed. They are very vulnerable to predators while they are sluggish. Predatory birds, cats and dogs all pose a threat to reptiles - so please keep your pets indoors.
Australia is the driest habitable continent, and as a result many of our frogs have specialised life cycles, behaviours and physiology to cope with extended droughts and short wet seasons. The occasional flow of water, from rain or temporary waterways will usually suffice to support a frog population.
Desert dwelling frogs cope by hiding in soil cracks or burying themselves in dry ponds. Some species are able to survive for many months underground, slowing down their metabolism and digging themselves out when the surface water penetrates their burial chamber.
All frogs are carnivores and will eat almost any small animal that will fit into their mouth. Larger frogs will occasionally eat small reptiles and other frogs. Small frogs survive on a diet of insects.
Frogs absorb water through the skin on their undersides and never need to drink. Most can change colour within a few hours or days to absorb or reflect heat and match their surroundings. Frogs are more likely to be heard rather than seen. Most are nocturnal, and the repertoire of many of frogs calling can create an impressive chorus on moist summer evenings.
Foundation Projects
Captive Breeding & IVF Programs to Save the Endangered Corroboree Frog
From 2001 to 2009, the Foundation funded efforts to breed Corroboree Frogs in captivity and explore the possibility of using IVF to increase population numbers of this species.
