Frog Identification

Hi--

I am by no means a herpetologist, but I'm usually able to do a little internet sleuthing to discover the species of a never-before-seen amphibian (the Eastern Gray Tree Frog and Broadhead Skink come to mind). However, this one seems to elude my detective skills. It's a green frog with brownish streaks down its sides (I assume some species of tree frog, since it lives in a large planter I have filled with jalapenos and bell peppers), and it's about the size of a nickel. If anyone can identify my new tenant, I would greatly appreciate it! Attached is a picture of my "squatter".

Thanks!

--Jordan

The Gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor) can be a bit confusing as the markings can vary quite a bit.There is also Cope's Gray tree frog (Hyla chrysoscelis)

http://www.ohioamphibians.com/frogs/gray_treefrog.html

http://www.jstor.org/pss/2425724

http://webcat.fhsu.edu/ksfauna/herps/index.asp?page=species&species_id=395-852&dots=yes&tributaries=yes&isAnura=&map=ks

http://www.gpnc.org/amphibia.htm

Hi moonhowl--

Just went out and looked at him again, and he looks a lot like the Cope's Gray Tree Frog. Thanks for the heads up!

--Jordan

Hi Jordan. You are very welcome...I have a soft spot for frogs...grin Moon

They are amusing creatures to say the least. I had an Eastern Gray Tree Frog last year that was using my makeshift birdbath as a wading pool.

We have a Cajun Chorus frog that uses our dining room window as a diner, and a big toad that lives and watches the garden from a hole under a rock in the flower bed. I do enjoy watching them.

We've actually spotted a few Woodhouse's Toads living in our container plants (which I thought was a bit odd); Apparently they like them better than the actual garden bed!

We have so many toads here, it is not unusual to find them camping out in containers and under stored pots. We have a couple very vocal chorus frogs behind a windowbox.. and a tree frog that lives in one of the orchids....adaptability....grin

I found this little guy (1/4" long!) on a Hibiscus leaf last year! Same frog? He even stayed still for a few photos!

Close up:

Oh he is a cutie. kinda small to be able to tell for sure, but more than likely either H versicolor or H chrysoscelis.

I love the various types of frogs that live in my flowerbeds and veggie garden too. They do a wonderful job of eating up lots of insects for me. I used to keep potted plants that are scheduled to be planted out in the fall in a small flowerbed and the frogs liked to dig into the soil thus messing up the plants. I had to move all the plants to the porch and put out pots of soil for the frogs--everybody was happy after that :-}

Tommy:

Yes, that is the same frog! I didn't see mine for a few days, and found he has been switching between my pepper planter and my tomato plants. He has a whole estate to himself!

This little green tree frog was hanging out on a daylily stem...about 3/4 to an inch long. (Hyla cinerea)

This message was edited Aug 23, 2011 6:58 AM

Thought you might enjoy this http://youtu.be/Z_UTff6Ehbc

Thanks Duck...Nature's lullaby..grin