Green Tree Frogs

Tree frogs are those frogs, that spend most of their lives on trees. Almost all species of tree frogs have green back color, with some of them changing the color, as per the surroundings. There are various species of tree frogs that belong to the families Rhacophoridae and Hylidae. The members of the latter family are known as true tree frogs and are found in the temperate and tropical regions of Eurasia, Australia and the Americas. While most of the tree frogs are green in color, true green tree frogs belong to the family Hylidae, as others have designs, patterns and shades of other colors on their back. The most popular among these frogs are the American and Australian ones, which are widely accepted as exotic pets.

Green Tree Frog Facts

As mentioned above, the American green tree frog (Hyla cinerea) and the Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) are the most popular ones. The frogs that belong to the former category are medium-sized with a body length of up to six centimeters. Their body color is usually green, but different shades of green can be seen. They may have tiny white or gold spots on the body with a very smooth skin. Some of them possess a white or pale yellow-colored line that extends from the jaw to the upper lip and groin. The abdomen is also white or cream in color and they have large toe pads. Males are slightly smaller than females and possess wrinkled throats. The Australian green tree frog can have a maximum body length of around 10 centimeters. Its body color is usually green, but some of them may change to brown too. The abdomen is white, but some small white spots can be seen on the back. They have golden eyes, horizontal irises, large toe pads and webbed toes. Green tree frog adaptations include adhesive pads on fingers and toes and protruding eyes that provide binocular vision. These features help these frogs to inhabit trees. Both these types are referred to as green tree frogs and there are people who raise these frogs as pets.

Habitat and Diet

These frogs live on trees near still-water sources. The habitat of the American green tree frogs includes trees near lakes, farm ponds, floodplain sloughs, bald cypress swamps and cattail marshes. The same applies to Australian variety too. They are usually seen among the reeds in swamps and grasslands. They can also be found inside houses, especially in sinks and toilets. Tree frog habitat also includes downspouts and gutters. However, most green tree frogs inhabit trees and come down for mating and spawning only. The females lay eggs in shallow water with aquatic plants. The eggs get attached to the roots of these plants and take around 60 days to hatch. Some of these frogs lay their eggs on plants overhanging water, so that the tadpoles can directly enter water, once they are hatched.

Green tree frog diet includes insects and worms. The American green tree frogs feed on insects like moths, flies and many types of worms. These frogs can live without food for about twenty days and if they get nothing to eat, they may feed on members of their own species. In case of the Australian green tree frogs, diet includes insects, spiders and small frogs. It has been observed that these frogs feed on small mammals too. A green tree frog adaptation that helps them in hunting prey is their long and sticky tongue. The prey get stuck to the tongue and is consumed by the frog.

These frogs are very popular as pets, due to their attractive appearance and docile nature. Green tree frog care is also very simple, as compared to some other types of frogs. However, you have to be very careful in handling these pets.