Florida is not the place of alligators & snakes only, it’s also home to variations of tree frogs. It might surprise you to find out that there are several different kinds of tree frogs in the Sunshine State, from the small and colorful Spring Peeper to the giant Green Tree Frog.
These amphibians are an important part of Florida’s ecology, and they play a key role in helping to keep our environment healthy. And they love nothing more than spending their days eating insects and hopping around in the forest or garden. Doesn’t it sound like something that would spark your interest? I knew it! That’s why, today I am going to explain to you seven different Tree Frogs that are widely available in Florida states.
So, without further ado, let’s learn about the different types of tree frogs in Florida!
Barking Treefrog
The Barking Treefrog, scientifically known as Hyla gratiosa, is a species of treefrog that is native to the southeastern United States. These small amphibians are most commonly found in the state of Florida, where they inhabit a variety of habitats including swamps, marshes, and woodlands. Barking Tree Frogs are easily distinguished from other tree frogs by their call, which sounds like a dog barking. The skin color of this amazing frog is mostly lime green and brown.
They are also notable for their ability to change the color of their skin to match their surroundings. This adaptation helps them to camouflage themselves from predators. Using their hind feet’s power, they can do smooth climbing and swimming. Barking Tree Frogs typically breed during the summer months. These frogs love mating at night time. And the female will lay her eggs in a small body of water. The tadpoles will then hatch and grow into froglets before eventually becoming full-grown adults.
Though they are not considered to be endangered, Barking Treefrog populations have declined in recent years due to habitat loss and pollution. However, these adaptable amphibians continue to thrive in Florida’s diverse ecosystems.
Cuban tree frog
The Cuban treefrog is a species of treefrog that is native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It is one of the largest species of treefrog also known as Osteopilus septentrionalis, with adults reaching lengths of up to more than 2-5’’. The male has an average size of 2.04-2.5’’ while the females have a size of 5.08’’.
Plus, the Cuban tree frog is gray or green in color, with a white belly. It has large, webbed toes that help it climb trees and unusual-looking eyes that allow it to see in all directions. This frog mates during the rainy season, and the female lays up to 3,000 eggs at a time. The larvae hatch after about two weeks, and they mature into adults within six months. The Cuban treefrog lives in trees and bushes near water sources, such as ponds and streams.
It is an opportunistic feeder, and its diet includes insects, small reptiles, and amphibians. The Cuban treefrog is a very adaptable species, and it has been known to invade homes and other buildings in search of food and shelter. Regarding lifespan, the female gets more than 5 years in the wild. On the other hand, the male Cuban treefrog tends to survive less than the female.
Pine Barrens Treefrog
Unlike other frog species, these frogs have a decent 2-5 years lifespan in their natural habitat. Their habitat is not limited to Florida, they can be found in states like Alabama, North Carolina, etc. Their scientific name is Dryophytes andersonii.
These creatures with green or brown bodies and dark spots live in this pine forest habitat!
Moreover, these little Amphy friends can grow up to 1-3 inches. Their breeding season can last from April- September. And the male pine barren treefrog often fights with another male to get the plumpy queen.
The males have a white stripe running down their back, while the females have a brown stripe. Pine Barrens Tree Frogs are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are mostly active at night. During the day, they sleep in trees or on the ground, often hidden beneath leaves or logs.
Unlike other frog species, these frogs have a decent 2-5 years lifespan in their natural habitat. Their habitat is not limited to Florida, they can be found in states like Alabama, North Carolina, etc. Their scientific name is Dryophytes andersonii.
Their main activity at night is hunting insects. Pine Barrens Tree Frogs are not good swimmers, but they are excellent climbers and can often be found high in trees. If you’re ever in the Pine Barrens and hear a strange ” trilling” noise, it’s likely coming from a Pine Barrens Treefrog!
Western Bird Voiced Tree Frog
You will see this frog mostly in the Florida Panhandle. The lifespan of a western bird-voiced tree frog or the Hyla avivoca is about 4 to 5 years. Some of their adaptations include vocal sacs for breeding calls and webbed toes for swimming.
The Western bird-voiced tree frog is a small to medium-sized frog. Their skin color can be yellow-green or pale green, and they have light white spots under their eyes. They are found in open damp areas such as marshes, swamps, creeks, etc.
These tree frog breeds from late spring to early summer. Small invertebrates such as insects, spiders, and other invertebrates comprise their diet. Compared to other frogs, this one is a bit small with a size of 1 & ⅛ up to 1 & ¾ inches.
Cope’s Gray Treefrog
The Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Dryophytes chrysoscelis) is a small, nocturnal amphibian that can be found throughout Florida. These little guys are great climbers, and they’re often seen perching on trees and shrubs. They’re gray or olive-green in color, and they have dark spots on their backs. When threatened, they can change their color to match their surroundings.
The Cope’s Gray Treefrog is an important part of the ecosystem, and it plays a vital role in controlling insect populations. These beautiful frogs have an average lifespan of 2.5 years and a maximum of up to 7 years in the wild. To keep themselves moist, Cope’s gray frog prefers to live in swamp areas or under dense tree zones. These species males & females make love in the small pond or slow stream water in May-June.
Unfortunately, these tree frogs are facing many threats, including habitat loss and pollution. But there’s still hope for these tiny frogs – with our help, they can continue to thrive in Florida for years to come.
Green Tree Frog
For those who love nature, seeing a green tree frog or the Hyla cinerea can be an exciting and surprising treat. They’re small creatures with sleek skins that come in many different colors – some even have patterns on them.
They can be found all throughout the state of Florida and some people think they might even come into your backyard or pool if you’re not careful with how often we take care not to disrupt their environment. These slippery little guys typically live 2-5 years wild.
There are many different types of frogs in the world, but few can match the popularity and appeal that green tree frogs have. These small animals grow to be about two inches long with females being slightly larger than males. However, their size could vary anywhere between 1-1/4” up until 2 and 1/2”.
Moreover, they have bright green bodies covered by white or yellow stripes running down their side which end near where you would find belly coloration – usually either white or pale yellow.
Squirrel tree frog
With a size of 1-1.5,’’ the squirrel frog is surely not the aggressive and giant-looking one. But surprisingly these species are masters at hunting their prey. In Florida, they are widely available and people often see them in their backyards. Unlike most frogs, this tiny species (Dryophytes squirellus) can live up to 10 years in their natural habitat.
When the breeding season appears, they shift into wetlands and small high-vegetation ponds. In general, their mating time remains from March-October. During the breeding time, they can generate a calling sound both day time & night time.
Gifted with the ability to change their skin color to camouflage is undoubtedly the best tool for their long survival. In the wild, you may see them in different colors like brown, yellow, or green. Although they are nocturnal, in the rainy season, you might see them roaming around in the time. Their favorite resting place includes shady areas like under the bark, in tree hollows, etc. For their optimum development, this frog needs a moist and shady place.
Using their large size toe pad they can easily climb the tree. In terms of their population growth, they are quite stable in their natural habitat.
Wrapping up
Throughout this article, you saw the top-bottom of the seven different species that are dominating the Florida state’s ecosystem. Each of these frogs has its own uniqueness that they bring from one single family.
Hopefully, this article will fulfill your answer about what are tree frogs in Florida.
Tree Frogs Found in the Nearby States of Florida:
