Hyla cinerea
green treefrog

Hyla cinerea is commonly found in the central to southeastern United States. Its geographic range stretches from Virginia's eastern shore to the southeast tip of Florida and as far west as central Texas. Green treefrogs can be found as far north as Maryland and Delaware. Despite being considered monotypic, clinal variation of Hyla cinerea has been observed from Florida north along the Atlantic Coastal Plain as a possible result of strong selection and/or drift. (Aresco, 1996; Mitchell and Reay, 1999)

Green treefrogs are frequently found in small ponds, large lakes, marshes, and streams. They prefer habitats with plentiful floating vegetation, grasses, and cattails. One study suggested that, in an artificial hardwood forest setting, the abundance of Hyla cinerea is related to the openness of the forest canopy. The study noted that 88% of 331 individuals were found in areas of the forest where the canopy was open. The presence of green treefrogs in the open canopy areas was interpreted as a method for finding prey, which concentrate in sunny areas with dense ground vegetation. (Horn, Hanula, and Ulyshen, 2004; Martof et al., 1980)

Green treefrogs are long-legged and smooth-skinned treefrogs. Most individuals have a bright yellow-green dorsum, but individuals that are reddish-brown to green are also common. Their dorsum frequently has small golden spots which overlay the green color. Ventrally, they are white to cream and have a similarly-colored prominent lateral stripe on each side. Total length ranges from 34 to 62 mm, females tend to be larger than males. (Carter et al., 2007; Martof et al., 1980)

Green treefrogs develop similarly to other anuran species. Eggs hatch at about 5 days post-fertilization. The first tadpole stage occurs directly after hatching. During this stage, tadpoles are very small and feed on the remainder of their yolk. Several days after hatching external gills become functional and they begin to graze on microscopic vegetation. Soon after external gills become functional they begin to disappear as the operculum develops and covers over them. Three weeks after hatching external gills have disappeared and internal gills become the primary mode of respiration. Eight to ten weeks after hatching, the front and rear legs begin development. Tadpoles also transition to a carnivorous diet at this point. In the final weeks of development the front and rear legs become fully functional and the tail starts to shorten. At this time green treefrogs are ready to leave the water and venture onto land. (Linzey, 2001)

Lifespans in the wild are unknown, but captives can live 6 years with proper care. (PETCO Animal Supplies and Inc., 2004)

Green treefrogs are mobile and can be found in large groups during the breeding season, especially during peak times. They make small scale movements between foraging and breeding areas seasonally. Besides their mating calls, alarm and rain calls are important aspects of social behavior. During most of the year green treefrogs are solitary. They are most active when the weather is moist. (Linzey, 2001)

Home Range

No information was available on green treefrog home ranges.

Green treefrogs use a variety of calls to communicate. Males attract females through a specific mating call. Alarm calls are used to broadcast that there is an immediate threat or predator around. There is also a noticeably different rain call, which is vocalized when frogs sense that there will soon be rain. Green treefrogs have well developed hearing and can sense vibrations through the ground. The parietal organ, located on the top of the head between the eyes, has been implicated in compass orientation and thermoregulation. (Linzey, 2001)

Green treefrogs are insectivores that commonly consume flies, mosquitoes, and other small insects. Freed (1980) suggested that prey were not selected by size, but according to their activity; the most active prey were the most frequently eaten. According to Freed, nearly 90% of Hyla cinerea prey were actively pursued, the other 10% were insects walking or close enough to be snatched up by the frog's tongue. (Freed, 1980)

Adult green treefrogs are subject to predation by a wide variety of organisms. Snakes, birds, large fish, and even other frogs may prey on Hyla cinerea. Green treefrogs are one of the only species in the genus Hyla in the southeastern United States that typically breeds in areas with large predatory fish. Tadpoles are at even more risk than adults because they have few defensive mechanisms and are easily caught. Predatory aquatic insects such as giant water bugs (Belastomatidae) frequently feed on tadpoles in their early stages as well as smaller fish such as pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus). Green treefrog adults are exceptionally good at hiding on grasses and other vegetation. When they tuck in their legs and close their eyes they blend in with the color of leaves. (Gunsburger, 2005; Gunzburger, 2005)

Although green treefrogs are not considered a keystone species, they play a vital role ecosystems they inhabit. They are prey to large predatory fish, snakes, and their other predators and green treefrog adults consume large quantities of insects.

Green treefrog parasites in a Florida population include the nematode Cosmocercella haberi (23% of individuals), a protozoan in the genus Opalina (47% of individuals), a trematode Clinostomum attenuatum (2% of frogs), and a nematode in the genus Rhabdias (5%). Another study found that Agamascaris enopla is an internal nemaode parasite. (Creel, Foster, and Forrester, 2000; Freed, 1980)

These treefrogs have no known negative economic impacts.

Green treefrogs and other anurans impact populations of mosquitoes and other small insects through predation. They can also be bioindicators of aquatic contamination, including contamination by many synthetic compounds used in pesticides, herbicides, and medications. For example, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have a high affinity for fat and are easily introduced through the digestive system. PCBs continue to accumulate with repeated exposure and should increase with organisms that have more fat. The thin, permeable skin of anurans puts them at a higher risk because compounds are so easily absorbed. Tadpoles and metamorphs are considered to be good indicators of PCB accumulation in sediment because they are usually in more direct contact with contaminated sediment. Adults are considered to be general indicators of contaminated areas but not specific conditions. (DeGarady and Halbrook, 2006)

Green treefrogs are common throughout their geographic range. Populations are relatively large and stable at this time. Although, like all frog species, they are reliant on aquatic habitats that are frequently destroyed by human activities. They are listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN list. (Linzey, 2001)