Cope's Gray Treefrog

Description:

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). The bright yellow pattern is normally hidden, but exposed when the frog leaps (Univ. Maine, Frogs and Toads of Ohio). This "flash pattern" likely serves to startle a predator as the frog makes its escape (Exploratorium). Similar hidden bright patters are common in various lepidoptera, for instance moths of the genus Catocala (Sargent 1969). Both species of Gray Tree Frogs are slightly sexually dimorphic. Males have black or gray throats in the breeding season, while the throat of the female is lighter (Tyning 1990).

Habitat:

In the Southeastern United States, Cope's Grey Tree Frog breeds and calls from May to August. Isolated males start calling from woodland areas during warm weather a week or more before migrating to temporary ponds to breed. There they form aggregations (choruses) and call together. Chorusing is most frequent at night, but individuals often call during daytime in response to thunder or other loud noises. Eggs are laid in batches of ten to forty on the surface of shallow ponds and other small bodies of water. These are usually temporary bodies of water lacking fish. Eggs hatch in approximately five days and metamorphosis takes place at about 45–65 days. (Tyning 1990, Martof et al. 1980, Atlanta's Backyard Herps).