Squirrel Treefrog

Hyla squirella

The Squirrel Treefrog is a small, green frog that loves to climb trees and bushes. They are known for their cheerful calls that sound like a squirrel's chatter, especially during warm nights.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Squirrel Treefrog is typically green, brown, or gray, able to change color rapidly to match its surroundings. It often has a distinct white or yellowish stripe running along its upper lip and sides, sometimes with scattered dark spots. Its smooth skin and large, adhesive toe pads allow it to cling.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderAnuraFamilyHylidaeGenusDryophytes

Squirrel Treefrog

Interesting facts

During cold weather, they can go dormant for months, buried in soil or under logs.

Their bulging eyes give them excellent all-around vision to spot tiny insects in the dark!

These tiny frogs can inflate their throat sac like a balloon to make their super-loud calls.

They're named "squirrel" treefrogs because their chattering call sounds a bit like a squirrel!

Special abilities

Squirrel Treefrog can quickly change its skin color because of specialized cells, helping them hide perfectly from predators and prey.

Squirrel Treefrog has large, sticky toe pads that help them climb vertical surfaces, even glass, to reach high leaves.

Squirrel Treefrog often calls more loudly and frequently just before rainstorms, helping them find mates in good conditions.

Measurements & details

Length: 2.5-4 cm
Weight: 0.001-0.005 kg
Lifespan: 2-5 years
Top Speed: 1 km/h
Clutch Size: 500-1000
Metamorphosis: 30-70 days

Diet & Feeding

This little frog loves to snap up tiny insects and other small invertebrates with its quick, sticky tongue!

Age differences: Tadpoles primarily feed on algae and detritus in the water, while adults are carnivores eating insects.

Primary Foods

ants
flies
moths
spiders
small crickets
mosquitoes

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

eaten by

Common Garter Snake

Thamnophis sirtalis

hunts them in vegetation and near water.

eaten by

Great Egret

Ardea alba

preys on frogs encountered near wetland edges.

eats

Common House Mosquito

Culex pipiens

catches adult mosquitoes in flight or on surfaces.

eats

Silky Ant

Formica fusca

consumes ants found foraging on plants and ground.

Traits

Social

Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.

Singing

Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species.

Arboreal

Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.

Camouflaged

Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

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.