gray treefrog

(Dryophytes versicolor)

Conservation Status
Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)
Photo by Alfredo Colon
  IUCN Red List

LC - Least Concern

 
  NatureServe

N5 - Secure

S5 - Secure

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
           
 
Description
 
 

Dryophytes is a genus of small treefrogs. Only two species occur in Minnesota, gray treefrog and Cope’s gray treefrog. The two species are almost identical in appearance, and are difficult to tell apart in the field, even by experts. The most reliable ways to distinguish between them is by listening to their calls or by examining their chromosomes under a microscope. However, the chromosomes are normally invisible under a light microscope. They become visible only when the cell duplicates.

Gray treefrog is a small, solitary, nocturnal frog. It is 1¼ to 2 long at maturity. Females are larger than males.

The upper (dorsal) surface is warty. There are usually dark blotches outlined in black. The background color can change in seconds from green, light grayish-green, gray, brown, or dark brown. The color is determined by the color of the background, the season, and the humidity. It is most often some shade of gray. There is usually a large, irregular, dark blotch on the back. Beneath each eye there is a small spot. The spot is white or another light color, and it may be prominent or obscure.

The belly is white. On females the chin is pale olive-gray. On males the chin is darker gray.

The toes end in large adhesive pads. On males, the lower (ventral) side of the hind legs is bright yellow or yellowish-orange.

 
     
 

Voice

 
 
Listen to gray treefrog
 
     
 

A slow trill lasting 1 to 3 seconds, not varying in pitch

 
     
 

Size

 
 

1¼ to 2

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
 

Cope’s gray treefrog (Dryophytes chrysoscelis) is almost indistinguishable morphologically. The dorsal surface is not as rough and is more often unblotched. If blotched, the blotches are often not outlined in black. The call of Cope's gray treefrog is a faster trill with about twice as many notes. They prefer more open habitats, including prairies and savannas.

 
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Forest edges, wooded areas near permanent or temporary waters. Near street lamps and lighted buildings at night.

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Behavior

 
 

Adults are usually found high in trees, on mossy or lichen-covered fences, or sometimes in abandoned bird houses. They are rarely found on the ground except in breeding season.

During breeding season the adult’s background color is usually green.

 
     
 

Lifespan

 
 

Unknown. Probably 5 to 7 years.

 
     
 

Life Cycle

 
 

Breeding occurs from April to July, peaking in May to June. After breeding, the female will deposit 450 to 600 packets of 30 to 40 eggs each on emergent vegetation at the surface of a shallow pond or a permanent or temporary pool. The eggs hatch in about three weeks and metamorphosis occurs about four weeks later. The tadpole is about 2 long preceding metamorphosis.

Adults live 5 to 7 years. They overwinter under the shelter of a log, rock, bark, or leaf litter. They are freeze tolerant and can survive multiple freeze-thaw cycles. Glycerine is produced preventing the formation of ice crystals in vital organs.

 
     
 

Tadpole Food

 
 

Algae, material from dead and decaying plants and animals (detritus).

 
     
 

Adult Food

 
 

Insects, insect larvae, mites, spiders, plant lice, harvestmen, snails, and smaller frogs.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Distribution Map

 

Sources

4, 14, 24, 29, 30, 73, 76, 78.

 
  8/29/2023      
         
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Amphibia (amphibians)  
  Superorder Batrachia (amphibians)  
  Order Anura (frogs and toads)  
  Suborder Neobatrachia  
  Superfamily Hyloidea  
 

Family

Hylidae (tree frogs and allies)  
 

Subfamily

Hylinae  
 

Genus

Dryophytes (Ameroasian tree frogs)

 
       
 

Gray treefrog and Cope’s gray treefrog were, until 1968, considered the same species.

The genus Dryophytes was originally described in 1843. In 1882 all Dryophytes species were transferred to the genus Hyla, which then contained all treefrog species in the Northern Hemisphere. In 2014 North American species were placed in the new subgenus Dryophytes. In 2016 the subgenus was raised to genus level, resurrecting the original genus. Today, the genus Hyla now contains only Old World species. All North American treefrog species, and three species in temperate eastern Asia, now belong to the genus Dryophytes. The last move was not universally accepted.

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

Dryophytes versicolor phaeocrypta

Dryophytes versicolor versicolor

Hyla versicolor

 
       
 

Common Names

 
 

chameleon treefrog

common gray treefrog

eastern gray treefrog

gray treefrog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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Alfredo Colon

 
    Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)   Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)  
           
    Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)      
 

Jeff LeClere

 
    Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)   Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

 

 
           

 

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Slideshows
 

Dryophytes versicolor (Eastern Gray Treefrog)
Allen Chartier

  Dryophytes versicolor (Eastern Gray Treefrog)  

Dryophytes versicolor
krloucks

  Dryophytes versicolor  
 
About

Gray Treefrog

 

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

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Other Videos
 
  Gray Treefrog & Cope's Gray Treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor & Dryophytes chrysoscelis)
WisCBMnetwork
 
   
 
About

Published on Apr 30, 2012

No description available.

 
  Gray treefrog calling
TSTPtv
 
   
 
About

Published on Oct 13, 2013

Did you ever want to know what a Gray treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor) sounds like?

 
  Gray/Grey treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor) calling: Video
Ryan M. Bolton
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on May 23, 2007

Gray treefrog calling.
Filmed and edited by Ryan M. Bolton, MSc

 
  Eastern gray treefrog calling
HerpNet
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Mar 20, 2009

Eastern gray treefrog calling

 

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this amphibian.

 
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  Alfredo Colon
8/22/2022

Location: Albany, NY

Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)  
  Jeff LeClere
6/10/2016

Location: Winona County

Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)  
  Jeff LeClere
11/12/2009

Location: Beltrami County

Ameroasian treefrog (Dryophytes sp.)  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

 

 

 

 

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Created 6/19/2006

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