June
14th, 2016. The breeding season for Cope’s Gray Treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis) has arrived again.
These frogs like to breed in small pools of water and will use watergarden
containers, of which we have several near the house.
As
the breeding season approaches, we’ll often hear soft, chirping calls as they
settle in near the containers. This year was no exception and prompted us to
check the window frames on the front of the house where we’ll often find one or
two encamped.
This
young frog – judging by its size – was hunting insects on the side of a window
frame.
I
caught it and it managed to wiggle free. I was, however, able to hold it so
that I could photograph the…
bright
yellow color on the inside of its thigh. This color serves as a key
characteristic for distinguishing a Cope’s Gray Treefrog from a Bird-voice
Treefrog (Hyla avivoca) in areas
where both species are endemic.
Although
the frog was desperate to wriggle free from my grasp, once free, it was quite
content to…
sit
on my hand and pose for photos from several angles. Perhaps it was enjoying the
warmth of my hand because it was reluctant to…
return
to the window frame.
Sure
enough, within a couple of days the frogs began their raucous mating calls and
eggs are visible in some of the water containers.
Reference.
Savannah
River Ecology Laboratory. Cope’s
Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis)
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