# Mediterranean Tree Frog (*Hyla meridionalis*) The Mediterranean Tree Frog is a small, green frog that loves to jump and croak! They are often found near water and are great at climbing trees and plants. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Mediterranean Tree Frog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Hyla_meridionalis_MHNT_Fronton.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hyla_meridionalis_MHNT_Fronton.jpg) ## Appearance The Mediterranean Tree Frog has smooth skin, often bright green but can be brownish-grey. It features a distinctive dark stripe running from its snout, through its eye, and down its flank, setting it apart. They also possess prominent, large golden eyes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Hylidae - **Genus:** Hyla ## Interesting facts - The male's chirping calls are so incredibly loud, they can be heard from over a kilometer away! - Their tadpoles are mostly vegetarians, munching on algae and tiny plant bits in the water! - Unlike many frogs, they spend most of their time climbing in bushes and trees, not just water! - When winter comes, these frogs often hibernate by burying themselves in mud or under rocks! ## Special abilities - **Super Grippers:** Mediterranean Tree Frog can cling to smooth surfaces because of special sticky toe pads, that helps them climb high into trees. - **Color Changer:** Mediterranean Tree Frog has the ability to change its skin color, which helps them perfectly blend into their surroundings. - **Night Hunter:** Mediterranean Tree Frog has large, forward-facing eyes, that helps them spot tiny insect prey in the dark. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 4-6.5 cm - **Weight:** 0.005-0.01 kg - **Lifespan:** 3-9 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 800-1500 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-120 days ## Diet & Feeding They love munching on small insects and other tiny creatures, helping to keep bug populations in check. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles eat algae and plant matter, while adults eat only insects. - **Primary Foods:** Flies, Mosquitoes, Moths, Beetles, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Viperine Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/viperine-snake) (*Natrix maura*) — often prey on frogs near water - **Eaten by:** [Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron) (*Ardea cinerea*) — wades in water to catch amphibians - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — snaps up flying insects from plants - **Hunts:** Mosquito (*Anopheles gambiae*) — a common prey item for adults ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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. - [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. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch frogs from a distance and never touch them, as they can be sensitive. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mediterranean 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 Mediterranean Tree Frog? 4-6.5 cm ### How much does Mediterranean Tree Frog weigh? 0.005-0.01 kg ### How long does Mediterranean Tree Frog live? 3-9 years ### How fast can Mediterranean Tree Frog move? 5 km/h ### What does Mediterranean Tree Frog eat? They love munching on small insects and other tiny creatures, helping to keep bug populations in check. ### Where is Mediterranean Tree Frog usually found? Wetlands ### How does Mediterranean Tree Frog hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Garajonay National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/garajonay-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park ## 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: [Mediterranean Tree Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mediterranean-tree-frog)