Cope's Gray Treefrog

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

Cope's gray treefrog is a species of treefrog found in the United States and Canada. It is almost indistinguishable from the gray treefrog, and shares much of its geographic range. Both species are variable in color, mottled gray to gray-green, resembling the bark of trees. These are treefrogs of woodland habitats, though they will sometimes travel into more open areas to reach a breeding pond. The only readily noticeable difference between the two species is the mating call — Cope's has a faster-paced and slightly higher-pitched call than D. versicolor. In addition, D. chrysoscelis is reported to be slightly smaller, more arboreal, and more tolerant of dry conditions than D. versicolor.

Source: Wikipedia — Cope's gray treefrog · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Variable color with rough skin and adhesive toe pads. Distinguished from Gray Tree Frog only by call.

Similar species. Gray Tree Frog (very similar; chromosome difference). Other tree frogs.

Voice. Faster trill than Gray Tree Frog.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Insects.

Behavior. Cope's Gray Tree Frog is essentially identical to Gray Tree Frog visually — distinguished primarily by call.

§ Range

Eastern and central US

§ Habitat

Wooded wetlands, ponds, swamps with adjacent trees

§ Threats

Pesticides, vehicle strikes during breeding migrations, lawn-monoculture loss of breeding habitat.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the cope's gray treefrog is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Build a backyard pond. Skip pesticides. Maintain native shrubs and trees near water features.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Cope's gray treefrog
• www.nwf.org — authoritative profile of Hyla chrysoscelis
• IUCN Red List · taxon 55512
• iNaturalist · taxon 25569
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Hyla chrysoscelis

§ Sources cited

• USGS ARMI
• AmphibiaWeb
• iNaturalist
• IUCN Red List 2014