Cope's Gray Treefrog OR Eastern Gray Treefrog

Description:

The Cope's gray treefrog is identical in appearance to the eastern gray treefrog. There is (as of now, anyway) no reliable way to distinguish these frogs based on appearance on a consistent basis. The pattern on the backs of each species is unreliable as they both may or may not have a pattern; observations based on positive identification indicates that one has a pattern more often than the other. The only steadfast differences between these two species is the number of chromosomes (the Cope's gray treefrog is a diploid, the eastern gray treefrog is a tetraploid), and that the Cope's has smaller red blood cells than the eastern gray treefrog, and differences in the advertisement calls of the males **Similar to the tiny, green frog I uploaded previously however, this one has a black spot near the bottom of its rump. Found clinging to a leaf on a trail near Lake Blanche, creek and woods

Habitat:

This treefrog is well known for it's climbing ability. It can scale most surfaces, even glass, with the use of its sticky toe disks. Each 'disk' secretes a mucous that creates tension between the disk and the surface. This enables the frog to cling to smooth surfaces. They breed from May to July. They use permanent or semi permanent wetlands to breed. The males call from vegetation in the water. The call is the best way to distinguish this treefrog from the Cope's gray treefrog. The eastern gray treefrog's call has a slower trill, and sounds much more musical and bird like. Tadpoles have a red tipped tail, unique among Minnesota's tadpoles. Tadpoles transfrom in 2 to 2 1/2 months. They are always bright green when they transfrom and will remain so for some time. Color change in adults varies depending on temperature, activity level, and color of surroundings. Adults migrate to summer feeding habitats after the mate. They may call periodically from their perches throughout the summer, especially in evening or after rains. This species is reported to call from higher perches than Cope's gray treefrog.

Notes:

They overwinter under shelters of bark, leaves, rocks or logs. These frogs prevent ice crystal from forming in their organs by changing glycerol into glucose and circulating through the organs. The remaining water in the body is allowed to freeze. The frog is basically frozen until spring. The Cope's gray treefrog and the eastern gray treefrog were considered the same species until recently. The Cope's gray treefrog was found to be diploid (normal numbers of chromosomes) and the gray treefrog is a tetraploid (twice the number of chromosomes).