Gray Treefrog
Hyla versicolor - chrysoscelis
CLASS: Amphibia
ORDER: Anura
FAMILY: Hylidae
SIZE: 1 1/4 to 2 3/8 inches
RANGE: Most of the eastern U.S., central Texas to Maine
HABITAT: Forests; goes to ponds in open grasslands for breeding
DIET:
Wild - insects
Zoo - crickets
DESCRIPTION:
A large, rough-skinned treefrog that is mostly gray, brown, or greenish above with a large dark blotch on the back; belly whitish.
There is a conspicuous white spot below the eye.
Both front and hind legs have dark stripes, and the backs of the thighs are yellow to yellowish orange with darker markings.
FACTS:
Often found hiding inholes in trees and fence posts in drier areas than most treefrogs.
The coloration helps camouflage them against rough grayish bark.
The Gray Treefrog is actually two species that can only be told apart by mating calls
The skin mucus is very irritating if rubbed in an eye or on the lips.
YOUNG:
Mating can extend from early spring to late summer.
Up to 2,000 eggs are laid in small clusters in shallow water.
The tadpoles hatch out in 1 to 3 days and reach about 2 inches in length before transforming into froglets after about 2 months
STATUS:
Still generally common in most of its range.
REFERENCES:
The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana. Harold A. Dundee and Douglas A. Rossman
A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians. Eastern and Central North America. Roger Contant and Joseph T. Collins.
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