Fun Gray Tree Frog Facts For Kids

Gray treefrogs are small arboreal tree frogs native to the eastern and central parts of the United States and south-eastern Canada. This species of tree frog is alternatively referred to as the north gray treefrog, eastern gray treefrog, and tetraploid gray treefrog.

The gray treefrog is so similar to its southern genetically disparate relative, the Cope's gray treefrog, that the two are almost indistinguishable.

There exist two species of the gray treefrog, Hyla versicolor, and Hyla chrysoscelis.

These gray treefrog species, the Hyla versicolor and the Hyla chrysoscelis, are mainly found in a wide range from westward to central Texas, southern Ontario, Maine, and Northern Florida northwest of Manitoba. Both species are almost identical, and further studies are going to find where they both overlap and where they differentiate.

Here, we have many amazing and interesting facts about the gray tree frog that you will enjoy. Let's take a look at these facts and information, and if you enjoy these then, do read our poison frog facts and bullfrog facts too.

Gray Tree Frog Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a gray tree frog?

The gray treefrog is a species of holarctic treefrog mainly found in eastern United States, central Texas, and southeastern Canada. The gray treefrog has two subspecies- the Hyla versicolor and the Hyla chrysoscelis.

This gray treefrog breed is small, yet they have a wonderful ability to camouflage themselves using tones of bright yellow or orange, or green. They are explicitly present in two genders. The male frogs are a bit smaller than the female frogs.

You can, without much of a stretch, distinguish the male frogs from the female ones by checking the shading around their throat. The male's throat is dark gray in color, while the females don't create a croaking sound.

The tadpoles are entirely green in color, but they also attain the dark gray hue as they undergo development in adulthood. These species have solid toe pads that assist them in climbing the trees. This frog species prefers to live in wooded territories and near ponds.

What class of animal does a gray tree frog belong to?

The gray treefrog is a species of arboreal tree frog, and just like the other species of frogs, it also belongs to the class of Amphibia.

How many gray tree frogs are there in the world?

The exact population size of gray treefrogs is not known yet, but the conservation status of these gray treefrogs is listed as Least Concern which implies that they are present in abundance in the world and there is no immediate threat to their populations' range.

Where does a gray tree frog live?

Eastern gray treefrogs prefer to live in green, lush zones near trees and shrubs and some sources of water, particularly in areas near marshes, lakes, old fields, trees, thickly lush rural areas, ranch woodlots, and blended or deciduous backwoods. Throughout the late spring months, they are regularly found inhabiting moist spoiled logs or empty trees.

In winter, gray treefrogs hibernate under woody surfaces like logs, roots, trees, and leaf litter.

What is a gray tree frog's habitat?

Both the species of gray treefrog, Hyla Versicolor and Hyla chrysoscelis, possess a wide range of habitats from Texas, southern Ontario, and Maine, toward Manitoba, and northern Florida. The eastern gray treefrog is, for the most part, found towards the north and the upper eastern zones.

However, the gray treefrogs habitat varies a lot depending on the season and the temperature.

Who do gray tree frogs live with?

Male eastern gray treefrogs are very territorial during their breeding season whereas, during the remainder of the year, male eastern gray treefrogs and female eastern gray treefrogs live with conspecifics of similar species. Because of their little size, a few eastern gray treefrogs may occupy one or more trees if there is an adequate food supply.

However, they are pioneering cannibals and may eat other eastern gray treefrogs on the off chance that they are sufficiently little to catch and swallow.

How long does a gray tree frog live?

The estimated lifespan of eastern gray treefrogs is somewhere around seven-eight years. They mostly die of old age, because of predators and diseases, during extreme climatic conditions, or due to habitat loss.

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season of eastern gray treefrogs starts in the month of April and continues till early May. Female frogs make regular mating calls to the males, and therefore their decision is looked up to during the mating plan of gray treefrogs.

The female lays about 1000-2000 eggs in a cluster which are fertilized outside the body by the males.

Very quickly, the enormous egg mass breaks into little, free egg groups of 10-40 eggs that get attached to various plant structures inside the lake or the pond.

The tadpoles hatch out of these eggs in the next three-seven days depending upon the water temperature. The gray treefrog's breeding season happens once a year and they follow the polygynous system of mating.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of gray treefrogs is Least Concern as per the IUCN list. This clearly implies that there is no immediate danger or threat to their entire populations' range.

Gray Tree Frog Fun Facts

What do gray tree frogs look like?

Gray treefrogs are tiny arboreal tree frogs that possess an incredible ability to change their color as per their needs and requirements, mostly to save themselves from predators. In fact, the adjustment of body color depends entirely upon the surface on which they have been sitting.

Besides this, the skin of these gray treefrogs is exceptionally harsh and has a marble-like texture.

Their rear toe is dabbed with bright yellow-orange blotches that become apparent when these species jump. The tadpoles are entirely green in color when they are born but they also attain a gray hue with development as they enter adulthood.

How cute are they?

With their ugly features like dark gray body, large suction cup-like toe pads, and a dotted tail, gray treefrogs are not at all cute in appearance.

How do they communicate?

The communication process of gray treefrogs includes calling and production of vibrations. The male's unique call is the fundamental characteristic to distinguish the eastern gray treefrogs from the Cope's gray treefrog.

The sound of eastern gray treefrogs is a thunderous melodic call, and the eastern gray treefrogs have a more slow call than the Cope's gray treefrog, which is somewhat quicker and higher pitched. Adult gray treefrogs are exceptionally sensitive to ground vibrations and have brilliant hearing features. However, during hibernation, they are lethargic to most outer calls.

How big is a gray tree frog?

The length of the female gray treefrog falls in the range of 1.5-2.25 in (3.81-5.71 cm), whereas the length of males varies from 1.25-2 in (3.1-5.0 cm). The females possess more body length than the males. This species of frogs is slightly smaller in length than the Cope's gray treefrogs.

How fast can a gray tree frog swim?

Researchers have not yet found out about the exact swimming speed of treefrogs Hyla versicolor or chrysoscelis, but they are known to jump up to seven ft (2.1 m) which are 50 times more than their average length. Also, these tetraploids have very strong toe pads, which help them a lot while climbing.

How much does a gray tree frog weigh?

Treefrogs Hyla is very light in weight, weighing only up to 0.26-0.39 oz (7.6-11.2 g). They are slightly lighter in weight than the Cope's gray treefrogs. Cope's gray treefrogs the are more southern but genetically disparate relative to this species.

What are the male and female names of the species?

There are no sex-specific names given to the males and females.

What would you call a baby gray tree frog?

Baby gray tree frogs are alternatively called tadpoles. The tadpoles usually possess round bodies, unlike the more lengthened bodies of the adult and young frogs. Their tail is also high and wide that can be shaded red if predators are present in the surrounding environment.

What do they eat?

The tadpoles of the eastern gray treefrogs start life by feeding on green algae and the dirt of their ponds, but after metamorphosis, the two species search for most sorts of little insects and their larvae.

Parasites, insects, plant lice, larvae, and snails are likewise taken as food by these frogs. Gray treefrogs, for the most part, search and chase insects for their food in the understory of trees and shrubs, where they may depend upon their camouflage nature with less danger of predation.

However, like most frogs, they are very opportunistic and may likewise eat smaller frogs, including other tree frogs.

Are they poisonous?

Yes, this species of frogs are poisonous, but they are not venomous. Their skin secretes toxin which is poisonous in nature.

Would they make a good pet?

No, it is not advisable to pet gray treefrogs as they are very difficult to maintain. Also, they are used to a particular habitat which is extremely difficult to create or imitate.

Did you know...

You can keep a gray treefrog as a pet, but it requires extra care and concern.

Gray treefrogs eat three-six times in two to three days.

Gray treefrogs can go about 12-14 days without eating.

Gray treefrogs are not poisonous to dogs like most species of frogs.

The female gray tree frogs don't croak, instead, they make a sharp, chirpy sound.

Some other fun frogs include the glass frog, leopard frog, and bullfrog.

Why do gray tree frogs change color?

Gray treefrogs change color in order to protect themselves from predators like other bigger insects or reptiles. Also, by using its camouflage, it preys on other little insects and animals.

How many eggs does a gray tree frog lay?

An adult female gray tree frog lays up to 1000-2000 eggs at a time during the breeding season, which begins in April and lasts up to early May. Their breeding process starts by the making of courting calls either by males or by females.

The hatching of eggs depends a lot on the temperature of the water, and the tadpoles undergo a complete metamorphosis after completing few steps of their life cycle. They are produced in large populations and are therefore found in abundance in the ecosystem.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other amphibians from our great crested newt facts and horned frog facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable gray tree frog coloring pages.