Characteristics:
A medium sized frog, roughly 2in body length. They can change color from gray to green based on temperature and background, but they usually have a gray coloration. Their back is marked with irregular blotches. There is a light spot below both eyes and the inside of each hind leg is marked with bright yellow. There are large pads on all of the fingers and toes.
*Note: There are 2 different species of gray treefrogs in this area and both are morphologically identical. They differ only in chromosome count and mating call.
Habitat:
Found around wooded bodies of water. Often heard calling from willow trees near water.
Behavior:
This is a frog that spends most of its time in trees, as its name suggests. During breeding season they can be found at breeding ponds where they are seen calling from floating vegetation and surrounding trees. They eat insects and other invertebrates. They are sometimes confused with the green ttreefrog because they can turn green to suit the background they are on.
Personal Remarks:
Very cool frog. All of the members of the genus Hyla have those large toe pads that are so typical of treefrogs. These guys vary in appearance so much that it would be easy for someone who didn't know better to confuse two individuals for completely different species. During the early summer they are a common sight, and sound, along road side ditches in IL. The willow trees, that grow around almost any water source, provide perfect habitat for them.
A medium sized frog, roughly 2in body length. They can change color from gray to green based on temperature and background, but they usually have a gray coloration. Their back is marked with irregular blotches. There is a light spot below both eyes and the inside of each hind leg is marked with bright yellow. There are large pads on all of the fingers and toes.
*Note: There are 2 different species of gray treefrogs in this area and both are morphologically identical. They differ only in chromosome count and mating call.
Habitat:
Found around wooded bodies of water. Often heard calling from willow trees near water.
Behavior:
This is a frog that spends most of its time in trees, as its name suggests. During breeding season they can be found at breeding ponds where they are seen calling from floating vegetation and surrounding trees. They eat insects and other invertebrates. They are sometimes confused with the green ttreefrog because they can turn green to suit the background they are on.
Personal Remarks:
Very cool frog. All of the members of the genus Hyla have those large toe pads that are so typical of treefrogs. These guys vary in appearance so much that it would be easy for someone who didn't know better to confuse two individuals for completely different species. During the early summer they are a common sight, and sound, along road side ditches in IL. The willow trees, that grow around almost any water source, provide perfect habitat for them.
