Grey tree frog
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| ?Grey Tree Frog Conservation status: Least concern |
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 Grey Tree Frog, Hyla versicolor
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| Hyla versicolor LeConte, 1825 |
The Grey tree frog (Hyla versicolor) is a species of small arboreal frog native to much of the United States and into Canada. It is sometimes referred to as the North American common tree frog.
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[edit] Physical description
Grey tree frogs are, as their common name implies, predominantely grey in colour. They can be light or dark grey, or light grey with darker grey, black, yellow or green mottling. They are relatively small compared to other North American frog species, typically attaining no more than 1.5 to 2 inches (4cm to 5cm) in length. Their skin has a lumpy texture to it, giving them a warty appearance. They are virtually indistinguishable from the Cope's Grey Tree Frog, Hyla chrysoscelis, the only readily noticeable difference being their call.
Both Hyla chrysoscelis and Hyla versicolor have bright orange patches on the hind legs, which distinguishes them from other tree frogs, such as Hyla avivoca (Martof et al. 1980). Both species of Grey tree frogs are slightly sexually dimorphic. Males have black or grey throats, while the throat of the female is lighter (Tyning 1990).
[edit] Geographic range
Grey tree frogs inhabit a wide range, and can be found in most of the eastern half of the United States, as far west as central Texas. They also range into Canada in the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, with an isolated population in New Brunswick.
[edit] Behavior
Grey tree frogs are primarily arboreal, spending time in wooded areas, usually not far from a permanent water source. On rainy evenings they can often be found calling in or near shallow, temporary pools of water. They are nocturnal and insectivorous, consuming most any small arthropod they can catch. Mating occurs throughout the spring and summer months.
[edit] In captivity
Wild caught grey tree frogs are frequently found in the pet trade. They make excellent, undemanding captives. A moderately humid vivarium of live plants is generally quite adequate to house them, along with a diet of commercially available crickets.
[edit] Conservation
There are several environmental changes that effect the populations of Hyla versicolor, and in many cases this comes as a result of human land use and development. Studies indicate that Hyla versicolor are moderately tolerant of pH levels as low as 3.5, and that UV-B radiation has no negative effects on egg and larvae survival, however UV-B radiation did have a negative effect on swimming activity. Atrazine is one of the most common globally used herbicide that is used to stop pre and post emergence broadleaf and grassy weeds in major crops. 200 – 2000 micrograms per liter concentrations gave tadpoles 10% less body mass and were 5% shorter than normal water concentrations. The larval period also took 5% longer in the greater concentration. Carbaryl, also known as Sevis, is the third most used insecticide. There is also no significant negative effect from the carbaryl, but when UV-B radiation was present, that photoenhanced the toxicity of the carbaryl and effected swimming activity. 10% - 60% of the tadpoles exposed to weak concentrations of this chemical for long periods of time were killed. If predatory cues were also present, it killed an even greater 60% - 98% of the tadpoles.
[edit] See also
- Cope's Grey Tree Frog, Hyla chrysoscelis
[edit] References
- Hammerson (2004). Hyla versicolor. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is of least concern.
- IUCN RangeMap: Hyla versicolor
- Herps of Texas: Grey Tree Frog
- Animal Diversity Web: Hyla versicolor
- Bernard S. Martof et al. (1980). Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-4252-4.
- Thomas F. Tyning (1990). A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles. Boston: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0-316-81719-8.
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