“ The World’s Most Charismatic Amphibian ”
Tree frogs have been referred to as the world’s most charismatic amphibian (Fields). Approximately 6,000 species of frogs live in the world. Thirty species of frogs live in Florida. Approximately 800 species of tree frogs live in the world. Seven of these species are native to Florida and they are shy and harmless to humans (Johnson).
Tree Frog Characteristics
- Most American tree frogs are green, brown, or gray. Some change colors to help them hide from predators.
- Tree frogs are different from other types of frogs because the last bone in their toes is shaped like a claw. They also have sticky toe pads that help them climb.
- Adult tree frogs eat insects, such as crickets, flies, ants, beetles, cockroaches, and moths.
- Tree frogs are food for lizards, snakes, birds, and fish.
- Tree frogs range in size from just under an inch to more than 5 inches.
- The largest tree frog in the United States is the poisonous Cuban tree frog 5.1 inches long), which lives in Florida. It is not native to Florida, and the Cuban Tree Frog threatens the survival of our native tree frogs. It has exceptionally large toepads and is bug-eyed.
- Tree frogs live from 3 – 15 years.
- Tree frogs can see color in the dark, even when it is so dark that humans cannot see anything. This helps them identify food and escape predators.
Habitat
Most tree frogs lay their eggs in shallow water or on leaves overhanging water. When they hatch, the tadpoles live for weeks in water before they emerge to live most of the rest of their lives in trees or shrubs. Some tree frogs, though, prefer to live under moist ground cover or even under ground. During the day, most tree frogs hide under leaves in trees.
Scientists have recently discovered that, even before they hatch, tree frogs can sometimes sense when they are threatened by a predator, and can emerge from their egg early in order to escape (Fields).
Tree Frog Songs
Each type of tree frog has a distinctive call. Their sounds vary from croaks, to barks, to squeaks or quacks. The most commonly seen tree frogs in south Florida are the Green Tree Frogs. They have a bold white stripe with a dark border down their sides. Some have golden speckles down their backs. The Green Tree Frog grows to about 1 and ½ to 2and 1/2 inches long. This species is known for ‘singing,’ both to attract a mate, and when it is about to rain, earning it the nickname, “the weather profit” (NWF).
You can learn how to identify, catch, and report the presence of Cuban tree frogs at http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/cuban_treefrog_inFL.shtml. You can learn to identify the various calls of tree frogs at http://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu. You can learn how to build your own tree frog house at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw308.
You can download a free Florida Tree Frogs coloring book from https://ufwildlife.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/Coloring%20Book.pdf.
Sources
Fields, Helen. “How the Tree Frog Has Redefined Our View of Biology.” Smithsonian Magazine, Jan. 2013, www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-the-tree-frog-has-redefined-our-view-of-biology-165716397/
Johnson, Steve A. “Managing Conflicts with Wildlife: Living with Frogs.” Sep. 2017, University of Florida Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw394.
Johnson, Steve A. “The Cuban Treefrog.” Jan. 2017, Univ. of Florida Dept. of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw259.
National Wildlife Federation. “Treefrogs – Big Cypress National Preserve.” Apr. 2015. www.nps.gov/bicy/learn/nature/green-treefrog.htm
Lund University. “Frogs Have Unique Ability to See Color in the Dark.” ScienceDaily. 28 Feb. 2017. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170228131001.htm.