American Green Tree Frog
Hyla cinerea · Amphibian, Vertebrate, Cold-blooded, Wild
Animal Family
Family Hylidae, order Anura, class Amphibia
Animal Category
Reptile/Amphibian
Breed / Variety
Hyla cinerea
Conservation Status
Least Concern, population trend stable, facing local threats from habitat loss and pollution.
About This Creature
Small to medium-sized tree frog ranging from 1.25 to 2.5 inches in length. Bright lime-green to yellowish-green skin, occasionally with a white or yellowish stripe along the sides. Smooth skin texture with specialized adhesive toe pads.
Physical Characteristics
Slender body, long legs for jumping, large prominent golden eyes, tympanum visible behind the eye, specialized sticky toe pads for climbing smooth surfaces like glass.
Behavior & Temperament
Nocturnal, arboreal, solitary except during breeding season when males call loudly near water bodies. Passive and harmless.
Habitat & Diet
Origin Region
Southeastern and mid-Atlantic United States, introduced to other areas
Habitat
Wetland/Marsh, Freshwater (River/Lake), Arboreal
Diet & Nutrition
Carnivore/Insectivore, feeding on various small insects, flies, moths, and mosquitoes caught by a rapid sticky tongue.
Lifespan & Health
2 to 6 years in the wild, up to 5 years or more in captivity. Subject to fungal infections, predation by birds, snakes, and larger fish.
Special Characteristics
Capable of changing color slightly depending on temperature and background. Popular in the pet trade due to docility.
Ecological Information
Acts as an important insect predator, helping control pest populations, and serves as an environmental indicator species due to permeable skin.