View allAll Photos Tagged treefrog
More commonly heard then seen, treefrogs can be found in summer clinging from branches high in trees or hidden in bushes. Their lichen-like camo skin keeps them well hidden and round suction cup pads on their feet keep them out of sight from would be predators.
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
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.
Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) shedding skin
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Hyla gratiosa
An adult male found among a large chorus after a passing thunderstorm in Alachua County, Florida.
Donner Camp Trail / Nevada County, California
Originally called Pacific Treefrog, Hyla regilla, this species has gone through a confusing naming process. Renamed Pacific Chorus, Pseudacris regilla, it is now named Sierran Treefrog, Pseudacris sierra.
For those interested in the range map of this species, see below:
Green Treefrog (Hala cinerea).
Village Creek Drying Beds. Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas.
Tarrant County. July 22, 2021.
Nikon D500. Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4E ED PF VR + TC-14e III teleconverter.
(420mm) f/5.6 @ 1/2000 sec. ISO 720.
Unfortunately, this species is non-native and invasive in Florida. It is believed that they arrived in the US by hitchhiking onto shipments of fruit and tropical plants being exported out of Cuba. For such a small innocent-looking amphibian, it causes a lot of trouble. They eat native lizards, frogs, insects, and even small snakes such as the Key Ringneck Snake, a rare species.
These were everywhere when I was down in South Florida. I couldn't believe how many I saw foraging in the bromeliads and other vegetation.
Florida Keys
Hyla versicolor
A large adult found on the edge of a hardwood swamp on a rainy night in southeast Michigan.
Imbabura treefrog (Hypsiboas picturatus)
This is one of the most beautiful frogs from the Choco in Ecuador, a hotspot of biodiversity, home to thousands of species of plants and animals, many of these endemic and species that waiting to be discovered and home to more than 200 species of amphibians
There is less than 5% of Chocó in Ecuador due to deforestation and palm oil crops, endangering the life present in this part of the world!
© Chocó Herps 2017. All rights reserved.
There are a few of these little frogs that hang out around my moth sheet when I turn the UV light on. They come for an easy meal. ....the buffet!!!...Can't blame them.