Source: Smithsonian Channel
DESCRIPTION
Tree frogs are a diverse family of amphibians that include more than 800 species. Not all tree frogs live in trees. Instead, the feature that unites them involves the feet – the last bone in their toes (called the terminal phalanx) is shaped like a claw. Tree frogs also have toe pads to help them climb, and many species have extra bony structures in their toes. Tree frogs can come in a variety of colors, but most species found in the United States are green, gray, or brown. Some of them, like the squirrel tree frog (Hyla squirella), are chameleon-like with the ability to change color.
Although tree frogs can grow to a variety of sizes, most plants are very small because they rely on slender leaves and branches to support their weight. Measuring 4 to 5.5 inches (10 to 14 cm) long, the white-lipped tree frog (Litoria Infrafrenata) from Australia and Oceania is the largest tree frog in the world. The largest tree frog in the United States is the non-native Cuban tree frog, measuring 1.5 to 5 inches (3.8 to 12.7 cm) in length. The world’s smallest tree frog is less than 2.5 cm long!
RANGE
Tree frogs are found on every continent except Antarctica, but they are most diverse in the tropics of the western hemisphere. About 30 species live in the United States, and more than 600 species can be found in South and Central America. It’s no surprise that a lot of tree frogs are arboreal, which means they live in trees. Special adaptations like cushioned toes and long legs help them climb and jump. Tree frogs are not plants that find their habitat in lakes and ponds or among moist ground cover.
Tree frogs are consumed by many different species of carnivores. Mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish all eat tree frogs. Many species of frogs rely on camouflage to protect themselves from predators, and more arboreal species escape terrestrial predators by hiding in trees.
DIET
Adult tree frogs are insectivores that feed on flies, ants, crickets, beetles, moths, and other small invertebrates. However, because they are tadpoles, most of them are herbivores.
STORY
Almost all male frogs attract mates with promotional calls. Each species of frog has its own call so that female frogs can listen to potential people who are a good match for their species. The name frog that most people are familiar with – “Ribbet!” – belongs to the Baja California tree frog (Pseudacris hypochondriaca). Rib calls have been incorporated into the outdoor scenes of many Hollywood movies, even outside the range of frogs.
Some frogs hatch as miniature adults. More commonly, however, tadpoles emerge from frog eggs. As tadpoles mature, they lose their tails and grow legs until they reach their adult form. The lifespan of tree frogs varies between species. Some species have a long lifespan, such as the Australian green frog (Litoria caerulea), which is usually kept in captivity for up to 15 years. Species with a lifespan of less than three years are considered short-lived. The North American gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor and Hyla chrysoscelis) is somewhere in between with a lifespan of 5 to 9 years.
PRESERVATION
Amphibians are in decline worldwide and are collectively known as one of the most endangered groups. They breathe through their skin, which makes them particularly sensitive to environmental changes. Threats to tree frogs include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and diseases such as chytridiomycosis.
FUN FACTS
Not all members of the tree frog family Hylidae are arboreal, and not all tree frogs are hylids.
