Green tree frogs are amphibians recognized for their bright green coloration, which can appear yellowish or grayish depending on environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and light. These creatures possess smooth skin and are moderately sized. American species typically range from 1 to 3 inches in length, while Australian species can reach up to 4 inches.
Native Range
The term “green tree frog” commonly refers to two species: the American green tree frog (Dryophytes cinereus or Hyla cinerea) and the Australian green tree frog (Ranoidea caerulea or Litoria caerulea). The American green tree frog is indigenous to the southeastern and central United States. Its geographic range extends from the Atlantic coastal states, including Maryland and Delaware, south to Florida, and as far west as central Texas, encompassing Gulf states like Arkansas, Louisiana, and parts of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Missouri. This species thrives in temperate to subtropical climates.
The Australian green tree frog is native to the northern and eastern regions of Australia and the lowlands of New Guinea. Its distribution spans from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, through the Northern Territory and Queensland, extending into north and central New South Wales, and the extreme northeastern part of South Australia. This species is primarily found in warm, wet tropical climates.
Preferred Environments
Green tree frogs are arboreal, inhabiting trees and possessing specialized toe pads that aid their climbing. These amphibians prefer moist habitats with abundant vegetation and close proximity to permanent water sources. Ideal natural environments include cypress swamps, marshes, wet prairies, bogs, and the edges of lakes, ponds, and streams. They are frequently found perched on twigs, low branches, and grasses, often seeking shelter among floating plants or other aquatic vegetation.
Beyond natural settings, green tree frogs exhibit adaptability to human-modified landscapes. They are commonly found in suburban areas, including backyards with ponds, garages, and garden structures. Their attraction to lights, which draw insects, often leads them to window sills of houses and buildings. In Australia, these frogs utilize rainwater pipes, shower recesses, and drainpipes as sheltered, moist locations.
Life in Their Habitat
Green tree frogs are primarily nocturnal. During daylight hours, they seek refuge and sleep in various sheltered spots to conserve moisture and avoid predators. These daytime retreats include the undersides of leaves, tree cavities, under bark, in logs, and other moist, shady crevices. They often adopt a water-conserving pose, pressing their bodies and limbs tightly against a substrate.
Water sources are integral to the green tree frog’s life cycle and survival, serving for hydration and reproduction. These frogs absorb water through their permeable skin and require standing or slow-moving freshwater for breeding. Males congregate at breeding sites, such as ponds, lake margins, swamps, and marshes, emitting distinctive calls to attract females. Females lay up to 400 eggs, attaching them to aquatic vegetation, and the tadpoles develop entirely within the water.
As insectivores, green tree frogs are opportunistic predators, feeding on a wide range of invertebrates that fit into their mouths. Their diet includes flying insects like mosquitoes, flies, crickets, and moths, as well as spiders and cockroaches. Australian green tree frogs may also consume larger prey such as small lizards, other frogs, or occasionally even small snakes or bats.
Tadpoles, in contrast, are herbivores, feeding on algae and other aquatic plants until metamorphosis. Their green coloration provides camouflage against predators like snakes, birds, and large fish.