Squirrel Treefrog - Hyla squirella

Characteristics
Range
Habitat
Diet
Life Cycle
Behavior

 Classification

 Phylum:
Chordata
 Class: Amphibia
 Order: Anura 
 Family: Hylidae 
 Genus:  Hyla

Squirrel Treefrog
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  Characteristics
Squirrel TreefrogThe squirrel treefrog can vary in color from brown to yellow-green to green. It is one to one and a half inches in length. It may have a light stripe running from under its eye along its jaw. It may also have a dark mark between its eyes and it may have dark spots on its body. It has large toe pads that help it cling to trees. The squirrel treefrog gets its names from its squirrel-like call.

  Range
The squirrel treefrog can be found in the Atlantic coastal plains from southeastern Virginia to Florida and in the Gulf Coast states to Texas.

  Habitat
The squirrel treefrog lives in areas with plenty of moisture, shade and insects. It can be found in in gardens, and on trees, shrubs and vines.

  Diet

The squirrel treefrog eats insects. It can sometimes be seen around outdoor light sources at night hunting for insects.

  Life Cycle
The squirrel treefrog breeds from March to October. Mating usually happens after it rains. The female lays up to 1,000 eggs in a breeding pond of shallow, standing water with lots of vegetation. It takes about six weeks for the tadpoles to transform into froglets.

  Behavior

The squirrel treefrog is nocturnal, it can sometimes be seen during the day when it is raining. In fact, it is sometimes called the rain frog! During the day, it can be found resting in cool, moist, shady places like under bark, on the underside of palm leaves and in hollows in trees.





Image Credits: Clipart.com



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