Hyla chrysoscelis

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Cope’s Gray Treefrog

Taxonomy:

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Amphibia
  • Order: Anura
  • Family: Hylidae
  • Genus: Hyla
  • Species: Hyla chrysoscelis

Common Names by Region:

  • English: Cope’s Gray Treefrog, Southern Gray Treefrog
  • French: Rainette Versicolore de Cope
  • Spanish: Ranita Arborícola de Cope
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Description: Cope’s Gray Treefrog is a small arboreal amphibian characterized by its mottled gray or greenish-gray skin with dark markings. It has large toe pads that aid in climbing and adhesive abilities. This species typically measures around 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5.1 cm) in length. One distinguishing feature is its variable coloration, which can change depending on environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.

Known Range: Cope’s Gray Treefrog is native to the eastern United States, ranging from Texas and Oklahoma in the west to the Atlantic coast in the east, and as far north as southern Ontario. It inhabits a variety of forested and semi-aquatic habitats, including woodlands, swamps, and suburban areas.

Diet: These treefrogs primarily feed on small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, and other arthropods. They are opportunistic feeders and will consume prey they can catch within their habitat.

Breeding and Lifecycle:

  • Breeding Season: Breeding typically occurs from late spring to early summer when temperatures and rainfall are favorable.
  • Mating Call: Male Cope’s Gray Treefrogs produce a distinctive trill-like mating call to attract females. The call is often described as a short musical trill.
  • Egg Deposition: After mating, females deposit clusters of eggs on vegetation or in shallow water bodies such as ponds, marshes, or even temporary rain-filled pools.
  • Tadpole Stage: The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which undergo metamorphosis over several weeks to months, depending on environmental conditions.
  • Juvenile and Adult Stage: Once metamorphosis is complete, the young treefrogs emerge from the water as juvenile frogs and gradually transition to the arboreal lifestyle of adults.

Cope’s Gray Treefrogs play an important role in controlling insect populations and serve as indicators of environmental health in their native habitats. Conservation efforts aim to preserve their natural habitats and mitigate threats such as habitat loss, pollution, and disease.

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