Our largest native treefrog, reaching 2.7" (68mm). Dorsum is green to greenish brown and bright green individuals may have a few to many rich brown circular spots that are encircled by light green or gray; light stripe bordered by a purplish-brown stripe along the sides and the undersides of the front legs; underside is creamy; large toe pads.
Females deposit several thousand eggs; each egg about 0.16" (4mm) in diameter; embryo greenish brown below and yellowish above; eggs laid singly or in masses containing several hundred. Largest tadpole of any treefrog in the U.S., growing to 2" (50mm); green or greenish yellow with a dark saddle on the muscular part of the tail and a light line from the eye to the vent; belly pale pink; upper fin and muscular part of the tail are yellowish green to orange. Metamorphose in 11/2 to 2 months.
Found in pine forests; reported from the base and knot holes of trees and in gopher tortoise burrows; also found in small ponds and cypress heads. Very secretive and appear sporadically; may be cyclic with major breeding taking place several years apart. Prefer to breed in temporary bodies of water. Feed readily on crickets and other insects; do well in captivity.
Leopard frogs also have spots on the back but do not have toe pads. Green treefrogs may have yellow spots on back but no circular brown ones. Pine barrens treefrog is a rare species which does not have spots on the back; not found in the Hillsborough River basin.
Hollow-sounding "quonk-quonk" or may resemble a bicycle horn; a chorus may sound like distant barking dogs; April through August.
This frog has been observed at the following locations. Click on the map to view the data.
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