Greenbrier Unit of Duck Creek Conservation Area is in southeastern Bollinger County.
Media
Scientific Name
Hyla cinerea
Family
Hylidae (treefrogs and allies) in the order Anura (frogs)
Description
The green treefrog has round adhesive pads on all digits. This frog’s coloration is normally bright, light green, but in cool weather it may be dark green. There is always a white or pale yellow stripe running from the upper lip down along the sides. Some yellow spots may also be present on the back. The belly is white or yellowish. Call is a measured, nasal “quank, quank, quank” series, normally not heard until after sundown. The call is a noticeable part of the nighttime sounds of our cypress swamps.
Similar species: Missouri has two other treefrog species, both of which are quite similar to one another: the gray treefrog (H. versicolor) and Cope’s gray treefrog (H. chrysoscelis). Unlike the green treefrog, these are both gray and, counted together, are found statewide.
Size
Body length: 1¼ to 2¼ inches.
Where To Find
Natural range includes the Mississippi Lowlands in southeastern Missouri, along with an introduced population in Camden County.
Habitat and Conservation
Lives in the last remaining cypress swamps, sloughs, and oxbow lakes of southeastern Missouri. Green treefrogs hide camouflaged in the green leaves of cattails during the day and become active at night when they hunt. Much of this species’ habitat has been destroyed. It is important to preserve large areas of remaining swamps, so this species can remain a part of our state’s natural wildlife heritage.
Food
On warm nights, this frog climbs among vegetation in search of insects.
Status
The populations in Missouri’s Bootheel represent the northwestern limit of the green treefrog’s total range. Much of this species’ preferred habitat has been destroyed.
Life Cycle
Life Cycle
Males chorus in the evenings from May to early August; together, they sound something like distant Canada geese. Egg-laying likely occurs in June or early July. Females lay 500–1,000 eggs and often produce more than one clutch per season. Eggs hatch in 2–3 days, and the tadpoles transform into froglets between late June and early September. Green treefrogs overwinter under logs and leaf litter in swamps.
Human Connections
This attractive frog is the official state amphibian of Georgia and Louisiana, and it is a popular pet sold at pet stores.
Ecosystem Connections
This frog eats insects, which helps to keep those populations in check. On the other hand, this frog becomes food for other predators such as birds, snakes, and mammals.
Title
Media Gallery
Image
Credit
MDC Staff
Right to Use
Video file
Caption
Video of a green treefrog in the wild.
Right to Use
Audio file
Right to Use
Image
Credit
Submitted by Rick Borchelt
Right to Use
Image
Free to use
Thumbnail
Thumbnail
Image
Title
Similar Species
Similar Species
Media
Media
Media
Media
Media
Where to See Species
About Reptiles and Amphibians in Missouri
Missouri’s herptiles comprise 43 amphibians and 75 reptiles. Amphibians, including salamanders, toads, and frogs, are vertebrate animals that spend at least part of their life cycle in water. They usually have moist skin, lack scales or claws, and are ectothermal (cold-blooded), so they do not produce their own body heat the way birds and mammals do. Reptiles, including turtles, lizards, and snakes, are also vertebrates, and most are ectothermal, but unlike amphibians, reptiles have dry skin with scales, the ones with legs have claws, and they do not have to live part of their lives in water.