View allAll Photos Tagged graytreefrog
This juvenile Gray Treefrog (evident in the light green color and the stub of a tail) is a bit bigger than the spring peeper, but because it blends in well with the green leaves, I almost missed it.
via Google Search: The Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) is a common amphibian in the eastern United States, known for its ability to change color to blend with its surroundings. These frogs are typically found in woodlands and near water sources like swamps and ponds. They are arboreal, meaning they live in trees and shrubs, and are nocturnal, spending their days resting and their nights hunting for insects. Gray treefrogs are small, typically 1.6-2 inches (4-5 cm) long.
Pennsylvania, US, July 9, 2025, IMGP9660
The Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) and the Cope's Gray Tree Frog (Hyla chrysoscelis) are two species of tree frog found in the United States. They are almost indistinguishable and share much of the same geographic range, although the Cope's tends to be more southerly.
The only readily noticeable difference between the two species is the call. The Cope's has a faster-paced and slightly higher-pitched call. In addition, the Cope's is reported to be slightly smaller, more arboreal, and more tolerant of dry conditions than the Gray Treefrog.
Both tree frogs inhabit a wide range, and can be found in most of the eastern half of the United States, as far west as central Texas and Oklahoma. They also range into Canada in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba, with an isolated population in New Brunswick.
Both tree frogs are most common in forested areas, as they are highly arboreal. Their calls are often heard in rural residential areas of the East Coast and the Midwest. They prefer to breed in semi-permanent woodland ponds without fish, but also lay eggs in swamps, vernal pools, man-made fountains and water gardens, and even in rainwater filled swimming pool covers
Both species are variable in color, mottled gray to gray-green, resembling the bark of trees. They are relatively small compared to other North American frog species, typically attaining no more than 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 - 5.1 cm) in length measured from nose to vent. Their skin has a lumpy texture, giving them a warty appearance. The female is usually larger than the male.
Both have bright-orange patches on their hind legs, which distinguishes them from other tree frogs. The bright-yellow pattern is normally hidden, but exposed when the frog leaps. This "flash pattern" likely serves to startle a predator as the frog makes its escape. Both species are slightly sexually dimorphic. Males have black or gray throats in the breeding season, while the throats of the females are lighter.
Last but not least, both frogs are variable in color owing to their ability to camouflage themselves from gray to green, depending on the substrate where they are sitting. The degree of mottling varies. They can change from nearly black to nearly white. They change color at a slower rate than a chameleon. Dead frogs and ones in unnatural surroundings are predominantly gray.
ISO400, aperture f/10, exposure .003 seconds (1/400) focal length 300mm
This is a Northern Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor), a weird name considering they can be green, brown, or gray. This one was small, about 1.5 inches in length.
Gray treefrog being green in the morning glories. Every year in late summer a couple of these charmers come to my front porch and hunt on the window under the light at night. In the morning they move to rest in the morning glory vines. They are not timid and let me come inches away to take their picture.
For the past two years at one of my favorite frog ponds I have awaited the arrival of these tiny gray Tree Frogs. In this photo from last Sept I was able to use a nickel to show just how tiny they really are. Usually you will find them perched on a plant stem or leaf, but this fellow was on the hand railing of a walkway, and so was the perfect candidate to have his photo taken with a nickle for reference. Immediately after this shot he decided that he had enough and left, and he passed on taking the nickle as payment for photo model fees, LOL
Chosen for Arts Center East, Vernon CT, Flora and Fauna juried exhibit, July 19 - August 15, 2020
I found this absolutely adorable young tree frog (about an inch long) on a hydrangea last week. A few mornings later I found her on a dark red leaf of another bush in the garden. I didn't have my camera for that one.
Gray TreeFrog (Hyla chrysoscelis). Lives on and around our porch. Usually sets up house keeping in our hanging flower pot which is not up yet. Showed this to my wife. She said it reminded her of the Toad and Frog books by Arnold Lobel which we read to our children and I agreed - thus the caption.
This male Gray Treefrog was hanging on a trunk about 1.2 meters (4 feet) above the ground. His back was to the pond, and he was calling away.
Seen in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA.
Taken at night
Byram Township, Sussex County, NJ
June 2, 2016
This is how I found this guy, and he stayed in the same position the entire time I was at the pond on this windy night.
As we were walking through trees surrounding BlueStem Lake, my husband spotted this tiny little creature perched on a branch at about shoulder height. He was half the size of my thumb and perfectly colored to blend in with his surroundings. I have him identified as a Gray Treefrog - but I am open to corrections.
actually, on this day, it seemed pretty easy being green. This guy was eating fly after fly as I snapped away. Must've had 5-6 flies in about as many minutes. He looked like lack of food was not an issue.
Taken at night
Roxbury Township, Morris County, NJ
July 15, 2016
The breeding activity of the tree frogs at my go-to spots in Sussex County stopped about 2 weeks ago and there isn't a frog to be heard at night. Last week while at a strip mall ( during a heavy rainfall), I heard frogs calling loudly from the woods across from the parking lot.
Tonight I went back with a camera, boots and flashlight and entered the woods. Within the woods was a swamp where I found a number of tree frogs perched on low branches calling. I can't wait to try this spot next Spring for peepers and tree frogs.
July 17, 2018
A young gray tree frog (hyla versicolor) clinging to the back slider with his sticky feet.
Tree frogs are coming regularly to our deck area. They really like the big hydrangeas along the edges of the bench.
Brewster, Massachusetts
Cape Cod - USA
Photo by brucetopher
© Bruce Christopher 2018
All Rights Reserved
...always learning - critiques welcome.
Tools: Canon 7D & iPhone 6s.
No use without permission.
Please email for usage info.
saw this Gray treefrog, it was sitting on a small brush pile. So I took a few shots and went on my way. When I came back he had moved, so I headed back to the truck. Well I almost stepped on him. He was on the walking path. Had to take a few more shots.
This is a Gray Treefrog, with a little green color. Somewhere in Southeastern, Connecticut
August 31, 2015
A gray tree frog Hyla versicolor poises to leap off of a hydrangea leaf.
Brewster, Massachusetts - Cape Cod
USA
Photo by brucetopher
© Bruce Christopher 2015
All Rights Reserved
No use without permission.
Please email for usage info.
Had a brand new visitor the other morning. Would never have seen it if it hadn't been for our ever diligent kitty Frodo having a fit over something outside.
Went to see what all the excitement was about and saw this small grey frog in the window sill. Have never seen one of these in our yard before and he didn't stick around, so with only two shots I'm not positive about the ID. And of course taking a photo through a double paned window that wasn't exactly clean doesn't help much either.
I've narrowed the possibilities down to a Common Gray Treefrog or Cope's Gray Treefrog, but still am not sure because neither mention yellow spots on the hind end and legs. Any help would be appreciated.
Found in my yard in southern New Hampshire. This little guy looked uniquely suited to blend right in to a birch tree's bark. I loved its little sucker-pad toes. You can see just a little in this photo, but the underside of its legs are a brilliant yellow color - not sure what purpose that serves (except it makes the frog even cooler than it would be otherwise).
I know I have more than one frog photo in my stream, but there are a lot around here, and I love 'em. :)
© 2011 J. Ronald Lee - all rights reserved. Available for purchase through Getty Images, see link below.
July 22, 2017
We found a young grey tree frog (Hyla versicolor) sitting quietly in the grass. She eventually made it to the trunk of an old pear tree where she blended in perfectly with the rough bark.
The younger grey tree frogs are bright green. They eventually turn a very light mottled grey color with the appearance of maple bark or a light piece of granite. This one still has a very faint hint of green on her skin.
Brewster, Massachusetts
Cape Cod - USA
Photo by brucetopher
© Bruce Christopher 2017
All Rights Reserved
...always learning - critiques welcome.
Tools: Canon 7D & iPhone 6s.
No use without permission.
Please email for usage info.