# Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog

> Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog (Polypedates leucomystax). The Southeast Asian tree frog builds foam nests near water for its eggs; a nest site should be left undisturbed.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/polypedates-leucomystax/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/polypedates-leucomystax/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog (*Polypedates leucomystax*) is an amphibian in the family Rhacophoridae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta. Diet: eater of insects (especially grasshoppers and crickets) and other invertebrates; a carnivore. IUCN Red List status: Least Concern.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Polypedates leucomystax* |
| Group | Amphibians |
| Family | Rhacophoridae |
| Observation records | West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta |
| Taxonomic group | Anura |
| GBIF records | 2,194 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| IUCN status | Least Concern · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2423785) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — eater of insects (especially grasshoppers and crickets) and other invertebrates · [BioOne](https://bioone.org/journals/current-herpetology/volume-43/issue-1/hsj.43.31/Diet-of-the-Nonnative-Southeast-Asian-Treefrog-Polypedates-leucomystax-on/10.5358/hsj.43.31.full) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [Ecology Asia](https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/amphibians/four-lined-tree_frog.htm) |
| Active | Nocturnal (active at night) · [Polypedates leucomystax - Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board (NParks) Singapore](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/4/4/446) |

## What is the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog?

Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog refers to Polypedates leucomystax, in the genus Polypedates, family Rhacophoridae, and order Anura. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2423785)

## What is known about the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog?

The Southeast Asian tree frog builds foam nests near water for its eggs; a nest site should be left undisturbed.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypedates%20leucomystax)

## Habitat and field observations of the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog

A survey around Lake Maninjau recorded this frog in forest, plantations and near houses, usually at night. Researchers also found a foam nest; leave nests and eggs undisturbed when observing.

Evidence: [Teynié, David & Ohler (2010) — Western Sumatra herpetofauna field study](https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.2416.1.1)

## How many Indonesian records name the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 2,194 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2423785&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2423785&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog?

Observe in place without moving eggs, tadpoles or frogs. Images of the body and habitat, together with date and calls, can help specialists assess an identification; common names do not establish handling safety. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog with Schlegel's Frog, Paddy Field Frog, River Toad. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Anura |
| Family | Rhacophoridae |
| Genus | *Polypedates* |
| Species | *Polypedates leucomystax* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog

### What is the scientific name of the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog?

The scientific name of the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog is *Polypedates leucomystax*, in the family Rhacophoridae and the order Anura.

### What kind of animal is the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog?

The Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog is an amphibian in the family Rhacophoridae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a eater of insects (especially grasshoppers and crickets) and other invertebrates.

### Where does the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog summarised in this guide mainly come from West Java, Bali, Yogyakarta. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog eat?

The Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog is a eater of insects (especially grasshoppers and crickets) and other invertebrates. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [BioOne](https://bioone.org/journals/current-herpetology/volume-43/issue-1/hsj.43.31/Diet-of-the-Nonnative-Southeast-Asian-Treefrog-Polypedates-leucomystax-on/10.5358/hsj.43.31.full).

### How does the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog reproduce?

The Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Eggs are laid in a foam nest on vegetation or rocks at the edge of shallow pools. Source: [Ecology Asia](https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/amphibians/four-lined-tree_frog.htm).

### Is the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog nocturnal?

The cited source records the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog as nocturnal (active at night). Source: [Polypedates leucomystax - Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board (NParks) Singapore](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/4/4/446).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog?

Scientific classification of the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Amphibia, order Anura, family Rhacophoridae, genus *Polypedates*, species *Polypedates leucomystax*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

### Is the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog endangered?

No, according to the global IUCN assessment. On the IUCN Red List, the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog is listed as Least Concern: it does not qualify for a threatened category or for Near Threatened in the global assessment. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2423785), checked 1 October 2026.

This global category is separate from legal protection in Indonesia. To check whether the Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog is a protected species, consult the current national list of [protected species](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/protected/) or contact the local [BKSDA](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/) (natural resources conservation office).

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/2423785)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=2423785&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [Teynié, David & Ohler (2010) — Western Sumatra herpetofauna field study](https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.2416.1.1)
4. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/26592)
5. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypedates%20leucomystax)
6. [BioOne](https://bioone.org/journals/current-herpetology/volume-43/issue-1/hsj.43.31/Diet-of-the-Nonnative-Southeast-Asian-Treefrog-Polypedates-leucomystax-on/10.5358/hsj.43.31.full)
7. [Ecology Asia](https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/amphibians/four-lined-tree_frog.htm)
8. [Polypedates leucomystax - Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board (NParks) Singapore](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/fauna/4/4/446)
9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Schlegel's Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/chalcorana-chalconota/)
- [Paddy Field Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/fejervarya-limnocharis/)
- [River Toad](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/phrynoidis-asper/)
- [Asian Common Toad](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/duttaphrynus-melanostictus/)
- [Muller's Narrowmouth Frog](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/kaloula-baleata/)
- [Hasselt's Toad](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/leptobrachium-hasseltii/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Common Southeast Asian Tree Frog. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/polypedates-leucomystax/