May 20, 2006
Green Treefrog. Hyla cinerea
Scientific Name: Hyla cinerea
Other Common Names: Carolina Treefrog, Cinereous Frog
Total Length: 1.25-2.5 inches
Range: Southern and southeastern U.S.
Habitat: They may be found wherever it is wet and damp such as ditches and on the bottom of large leaves. They are also seen on large-leaved water plants along the banks of lakes, ponds, swamps, streams, and brooks. Sometimes they may be found on trees and bushes not far from water or in a southern garden. At night they are often drawn to a window where insects are attracted by the lights inside.
Sex Determination: Only males can call and have nuptial pads.
[snip left][/snip] Reproduction: The males’ mating call is a loud “quack” which is done repeatedly (from far away it sounds like a cow bell). The calls are first heard in March and mating occurs from April-August (a little later in the northern parts of their range). They call just before dusk.
The male grips the female by the armpits (an axillary amplexus) during mating. The female will lay up to 1000 black/brownish and white/cream colored eggs in small clumps of 1-1.5 inches in diameter. They are laid at or near the surface of the water and are attached to floating vegetation.
Breeding is unlikely in a terrarium but possible in a greenhouse if a pool with plants is provided.
Metamorphosis: The tadpoles transform in about two months. They are quite large at metamorphosis measuring 3/8-5/8 of an inch. As a tadpole, they are bright green with yellowish stripes on the sides of thier heads.
Care In Captivity:
Other Information: These treefrogs are mainly nocturnal and are more aquatic than other Hylas.
When the weather is cool they may be a yellow, a greenish-yellow, a dull greenish, or a dark brownish-green. They are usually brown when calling at night.
The Barking Treefrog (Hyla gratiosa) is known to mate with the Green Treefrog. The resulting offspring is known as a hybrid. The hybrid’s size is likely to be in between that of the parents, but looks much more like the Green Treefrog. They are often found calling with a group of all Barking Treefrogs.
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