# European Tree Frog (*Hyla arborea*) The European Tree Frog is a small, green frog that loves to climb trees and bushes. It has a loud, cheerful call that sounds like a musical 'croak' and is often found near ponds and wetlands. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Common Tree Frog ![European Tree Frog](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426711/objects/2632.jpg) ## Appearance The European Tree Frog is typically bright lime green with a smooth back, which can change to shades of brown or grey. It has a distinctive dark stripe running from its nostril, through the eye, and along its flanks to the groin, separating its colored back from a creamy white belly. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Hylidae - **Genus:** Hyla ## Interesting facts - Male European Tree Frogs have a vocal sac almost as big as their head! - They can absorb water through their skin, so they don't need to drink! - They hibernate during winter by burying themselves in mud or under leaves! - Tree Frogs can leap over 20 times their own body length in a single jump! ## Special abilities - **Super Sticker Toes:** European Tree Frogs have special sticky pads on their toes that help them climb and cling to leaves and branches with incredible grip. - **Chameleon Camouflage:** This frog can change its skin color to match its surroundings, like leaves or bark, helping them hide from predators. - **Big Voice Call:** The European Tree Frog has a large vocal sac that inflates like a balloon, amplifying their loud mating calls across distances. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3.5-5.5 cm - **Weight:** 0.004-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-7 years - **Speed:** 0.1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 400-1500 - **Metamorphosis:** 45-90 days ## Diet & Feeding These agile hunters primarily feast on insects and other small invertebrates. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and detritus; adults eat insects. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Moths, Beetles, Spiders, Ants - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Grass Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grass-snake) (*Natrix natrix*) — A common predator in their habitat. - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — Birds can snatch frogs from vegetation. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — Flies are a common food source for adults. - **Hunts:** Great Diving Beetle (*Dytiscus marginalis*) — Predatory beetles hunt tadpoles in water. ## Traits - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch frogs from a distance and don't try to catch them; they are best left in their homes. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify European Tree Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is European Tree Frog? 3.5-5.5 cm ### How much does European Tree Frog weigh? 0.004-0.01 kg ### How long does European Tree Frog live? 5-7 years ### How fast can European Tree Frog move? 0.1 km/h ### What does European Tree Frog eat? These agile hunters primarily feast on insects and other small invertebrates. ### Where is European Tree Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does European Tree Frog hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Biosphärenreservat Oberlausitzer Heide- und Teichlandschaft](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/biospharenreservat-oberlausitzer-heide-und-teichlandschaft) — Sachsen, DE · Park - [Naturpark Steinhuder Meer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/steinhuder-meer-nature-park) — Niedersachsen, DE · Park - [Pinail National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pinail-national-nature-reserve) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Park - [Loire Valley National Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loire-valley-national-nature-reserve) — Centre-Val de Loire / Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, FR · Park [View all places to see European Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/european-tree-frog) ## Watch - [Play video: European Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/videos/european-tree-frog) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=voTuPmMLweA) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [European Tree Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-tree-frog)