During late Spring and early Summer the trills of male Gray Treefrogs can be heard from treetops and backwater areas of rivers.

The Gray Treefrog lives in moist woodlands and swamps near water. It finds its insect food in the trees and shrubs. This amphibian is very acrobatic and will often jump from branch to branch to catch its prey.

This is a well camouflaged frog that few people ever see. Encountering one outside of breeding season is largely a matter of chance. The Gray Treefrog has the ability to change colors and can be green, gray or brown. Large, rounded toe disks enable this creature to climb.

This amphibian has bright yellow or orange on the underside of each hind leg that is believed to startle or confuse predators.

The Gray Treefrog have the remarkable ability to withstand freezing temperatures. Adults can survive for several days, partially frozen, at up to 20 degrees below zero. They produce a sort of “natural antifreeze” in their blood to accomplish this feat.

This is my favorite frog; not only because of the characteristics mentioned above and its “friendly looking” appearance, but also because I can hear it calling from my house and on occasion, find it in my neighborhood – like this one from 2011.

Third Eye Herp
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