American Green Tree Frog Fact File
Hyla cinerea
Credit: Under License from Jumpstory
Weight
Insufficient
Data
Length
6cm
(2.5in)
Lifespan
Wild 6 years
Captive 6 years
Conservation Status
IUCN
Least Concern
It's Good to be Green!
The American green tree frog is colored green but they vary through green hues based on the availability light and temperature.
This species is commonly seen near houses in the southern US where they live. They spend their time hunting for insects and other small animals. Records of them cannibalizing other frogs exist.
Males call using a vocal sac which amplifies their vocalisation to help attract the attention of a female.
Small numbers of American green tree frogs may be collected for sale in to the pet trade and they are also threatened by the introduced Cuban tree frog.
Read on to learn more about these amazing amphibians.
Appearance
What does the American Green Tree Frog look like?
The American green tree frog is covered with smooth skin which is as their name suggests is typically green but in some individuals may be reddish-brown. On their back they often have golden spots. Their underside is colored white or cream. Running down the side of the body from the eye is a cream or white stripe.
How dark the green is on their body will vary based on the amount of light available and the temperature.
Their large eye is colored golden with a horizontal black pupil.
Under the throat the males have a wrinkled patch which indicates the location of their vocal pouch.
They have an average body length up to 6cm (2.5in) long. Males tend to be slightly smaller than the females.
Adaptations
How does the American Green Tree Frog survive in its habitat?
As a tree frog they have sticky pads on each toe which allow them to climb surfaces such as tree trunks and even glass.
-- AD --
Diet
What does the American Green Tree Frog eat?
American green tree frogs are carnivores. They mostly feed on invertebrates such as crickets, flies and worms. On occasion they may cannibalize other frogs.
They may be seen near houses where they hunt the insects which are attracted by lights.
Learn more about the American Green Tree Frog in this video from xxxx on YouTube
Range
Where do you find the American Green Tree Frog?
North America is the native home of the American green tree frog where they can be found in the United States. They can be found in the east of the country. Invasive populations have established in some additional US states through introduction from the pet trade and moving on plant shipments.
They were introduced to Puerto Rico but it is currently uncertain if this population still survives.
Habitat
Where can the American Green Tree Frog survive?
American green tree frogs make their home in swamps, marshes and along river banks and the edge of lakes. They require an area with floating vegetation.
They can be found on the ground or up in tall shrubs and trees.
Credit: Under License from Jumpstory
Reproduction
How does the American Green Tree Frog produce its young?
Breeding takes place from March to September. Males will call with the assistance of their vocal sac to try and attract a female.
Females will deposit as many as 400 eggs in shallow water or at the surface. These can also be attached to floating vegetation.
These eggs will hatch within a week.
The young spend about a month in their larval form as a tadpole. Within 55 to 63 days after they hatch they will begin their metamorphosis in to an adult frog.
Behavior
What does the American Green Tree Frog do during its day?
American green tree frogs are mostly active by night when they will emerge to find food.
An American green tree frog may cover 3m (10ft) in a single leap.
Their call is said to sound like a 'clanking bell' and may be repeated up to 75 times in a minute.
Credit: Under License from Jumpstory
Predators and Threats
What stops the American Green Tree Frog from surviving and thriving?
Natural predators of the American green tree frog include birds, fish, larger frogs and snakes.
These frogs are captured in small numbers for the pet trade but not in numbers which would have an effect on their population.
In parts of their range they face competition from introduced Cuban tree frogs.
-- AD --
Quick facts
American green tree frogs are sometimes nicknamaed 'rain frogs' due to the way they call before and during periods of rain.
They are the official state amphibian of Louisiana and Georgia.
References
Burnie, D., 2011. Animal. 3rd ed. London: DK
Jackson, T.,2011. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animals, Birds & Fish of North America. 1st ed. Leicestershire: Lorenz Books
Hammerson, G.A. & Hedges, B. 2017. Dryophytes cinereus (amended version of 2008 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T55449A112713111. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T55449A112713111.en. Downloaded on 03 January 2021
Treehugger. 2021. 10 Interesting Facts About American Green Tree Frogs. [online] Available at: <https://www.treehugger.com/american-green-tree-frog-facts-5076955> [Accessed 5 January 2021].
Ambassador Animal. 2021. American Green Tree Frog. [online] Available at: <https://aaric.org/2019/07/27/american-green-tree-frog-2/> [Accessed 5 January 2021].
Somma, L.A., 2021, Hyla cinerea (Schneider, 1799): U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?speciesID=53, Revision Date: 5/3/2018, Access Date: 1/4/2021
AmphibiaWeb 2019 Hyla cinerea: North American Green Treefrog <http://amphibiaweb.org/species/769> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Jan 5, 2021.
Nichols, M. 2008. "Hyla cinerea" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed January 04, 2021 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Hyla_cinerea/
Most Popular Animal this Week
Credit: Under License
Redbubble Store.
Similar Species
AD
Copyright The Animal Facts 2025