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Cope's Gray Treefrog

Hyla chrysoscelis

Description:

Cope's Gray Treefrog is a member of the family Hylidae. They are 1.25 to 2.5 inches long, a comparatively large treefrog. Their body is typically gray, various shades of brown, green, or even nearly white but highly variable with environment and mood. They have a discernible light spot under their eyes; a warty dorsal surface, although they can transform to a smooth glossy surface; large toe pads; dark bars on their hind legs; and bright orange or yellow color on hidden surfaces of thighs. Males are smaller than females and may have a darkened throat during breeding season.

Habitat:

North America, the are found from Maine in the north and northern Florida in the south, to the great plains west of the Mississippi River. Cope's Gray Treefrogs are found in wooded areas where they are nocturnal and forage in the trees and shrubs; they descend to the ground only to breed. They breed in shallow ditches, puddles and ponds, or almost any container with shallow water.

Notes:

There are two species of 'Gray Treefrog': The Common Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor) and the Cope's Gray Treefrog. The Common Gray Treefrog has twice as many chromosomes as the Cope's Gray Treefrog. Their calls differ: the Common Gray has a slow trill compared with the faster, shrill call of the Cope's Gray Treefrog. The Common Gray Treefrog has not been documented to occur in Georgia. In Georgia, the Cope's Gray Treefrog may inhabit the same areas as the Bird-voided Treefrog (Hyla avivoca). The Bird-voiced Treefrogs are smaller than the Cope's Gray Treefrog and the concealed surfaces of the thigh and groin are pale yellowish green to greenish or yellowish white compared with the bright yellow of the Cope's Gray Treefrog. Hybrids of Cope's Gray Treefrog and the Bird-voice Treefrog may occur where both species co-exist.

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PucaK
Spotted by
PucaK

Georgia, USA

Spotted on Jun 10, 2015
Submitted on Jun 11, 2015

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