Gray Treefrog

As we say goodbye to another summer as it wanes into autumn, I am reminded of how silent the landscape is soon to become. Winter with its dark gloomy days, cold temperatures, and seemingly desolate landscape, always makes me long for the return of spring and of one of my favorite sounds---the call of the frogs and toads.

Pretty tulip all red and white

Little did you know what would turn up inside

A little tree frog hopped into sight.

Unexpected surprise, on the wind he did ride.

 

Tulip in the wind shaking to and fro..

Still the little tree frog held on tight....

The wind battered tulip held this little beau

Keeping his perch til night.

 

Suddenly to the right, a sound,

A tiny cousin, a Boreal Chorus Frog sang out loud.

Small it's true, with eyes bright and round,

He sings with feeling, his notes abound.

 

Night has risen, day is done

Frogs everywhere, gray, and green

With songs all joined, the chorus is begun

I sit and I listen, as is my routine.

 

Spring and Summer oh what a joy.

But alas the season must end.

Winters wind does summer’s heat destroy.

Now I must sit and wait for the return of my friends.

 

Recently, as I was doing laundry in my basement, I reached for the handle of the door into my laundry room and came in contact with a cold, slimy moving object. Somewhat startled by the unexpected surprise, I had to laugh as I realized it was a tiny treefrog. This is not the first time a treefrog has made its way into my basement, and each time I find it by happenstance as my hand comes into contact with its cold, slimy body. I released the most recent interloper to the front yard and was prompted to feature them in this weeks article.

The name gray treefrog is a bit of a misnomer as they may be gray, green, brown, nearly black, or even nearly white. Their species name of Hyla Versicolor came from the Greek word “hyla” which translates to “belonging to the woods” and the Latin word “versi” which means various and “color” which means color. So, their scientific name literally means “variable colored belonging to the woods.” As an arboreal frog that finds its home among the trees and can change its color much like a chameleon (albeit at a slower rate), this is an apt name for this species. This color

change ability is a great way to avoid predators such as snakes, skunks, and even other frogs who may want to eat them. They have a blotchy pattern on their backs that resembles lichen, the skin appears lumpy, giving them a warty appearance. Females at nearly two inches in length are a little larger than their male counterparts. Both genders have a unique feature, the underside of their front and back legs have a dark band-like pattern that starkly contrasts with bright yellow patches visible when hopping or climbing. Their feet are webbed and tipped with toe pads that secrete an adhesive substance that works like suction cups, allowing them to climb trees or even the vertical surface of our homes. They secrete a poisonous substance from their skin that makes them distasteful to some predators and may cause eye irritation if you rub your eyes after touching one. It’s okay to catch them, just wash your hands afterwards.

Like all frogs they use sound to communicate. Songs may be used to attract mates or to intimidate rival males. Or to drive tired humans insane at night when they incessantly call from the shutters on your home (or so I’ve heard)! Soon after they emerge from hibernation the males locate suitable ponds, or other water sources, typically free of fish to begin serenading nearby females. If rival males show up, they will vigorously defend their real estate by wrestling, shoving, kicking or even head butting the unwanted competition. Females choose the most viral male based on the strength and pattern of his mating call. Up to two thousand eggs will be deposited in clusters that attach to pond plants or other structures within the water. In about four days the eggs hatch. The tadpoles are as variable in color as the adults. They are rounded with high, wide tails. If predators are sharing the same area, the tails may be red or orange as a form of defense against predation. Bright colors in nature typically advertise something is either dangerous or nasty tasting. Within two to three months the tadpoles transform into tiny froglets that now live on land. Froglets tend to be green and often stay that way until they reach their full adult size, when they begin utilizing the camouflage abilities they were born with.

 

Nocturnal by nature, it is not uncommon to find them at pole lights, porch lights and other artificial light, these are the smart, enterprising, although a tad bit lazy hunters. Treefrogs feed on a wide variety of insects, spiders and even each other if given the opportunity. Because of their preference for feasting on insects they are beneficial in controlling these sometimes annoying or even destructive pests. During the day they hide under logs, bark, or various manmade structures. This particular species will sometimes be found basking in the sun, which is a somewhat odd behavior for frogs as most are prone to desiccation and may rapidly dry out. Tree frogs however seem to tolerate a certain amount of exposure to heat and sunlight without fear of dehydration and death.

Nearly all frogs are considered an indicator species. The skin of frogs is permeable and more vulnerable to environmental changes. If an ecosystem contains a healthy population of frogs, one can assume the nearby habitats are healthy as well. For this reason alone, they are one of the most important components of their given habitat.

 

As winter approaches frogs begin turning their energy towards hibernation. All frogs located in cold climates contain something in their blood similar to anti-freeze called glycerol. Up to 80% of the treefrogs bodily fluids are made up of this substance, allowing it to survive internal temperatures of 18 degrees Fahrenheit. The remaining fluids will freeze, and the eyes become opaque. Their breathing and heart beats are temporarily suspended. This ability to suspend bodily functions will see them through the winter until spring returns. At that time their bodies will gradually acclimate to the slowly warming temperatures, thus thawing the frog. One of the reasons I encourage people to leave their leaves is by doing so you are leaving a buffer of natural insulation for frogs and insects that utilize them for winter hibernation. I never rake my yard until spring when I clean up the flower beds. I know all those creatures living in my yard that depend on them are resting easy for the long cold winter.

Soon winter will put itself to bed and spring will return, along with the welcome call of the frogs.

“What is there to life if a man cannot hear the lonely cry of a whippoorwill, or the arguments of the frogs around the pond?” ---Chief Seattle- 1854