The past few days I have had a little green visitor to my kitchen window. I believe him to be an American Green Tree Frog. I have, to follow the cliche, named him Kermit. Kermit likes the kitchen window because at night there are always insects flying at it and it creates a buffet for him. Let me tell you about Kermit and his species, the state amphibian of Louisiana, the American Green Tree Frog.
American Green Tree frogs are found in the south-eastern united states with populations stretching from the shores of Virginia to southern Illinois and south to central Texas and southern Florida. They prefer swamps, sloughs, and the edges of ponds and lakes as well as meadows and grasslands near these areas. They look for floating vegetation, grasses, and cattails. You will find them anywhere from trees to the side of homes.
The American Green Tree Frog is a mid sized frog. They are usually bright green with a creamy stripe down their sides. Sometimes individuals will lack these stripes or will be a different hue such as reddish-brown, yellow, or brown depending on their environment, They are a relatively thin frog with long legs and pads on their toes that allow them to climb many surfaces. They have smooth skin that may have spots on the green. Like many amphibians, the females tend to be larger than the males.
The tree frogs make distinct mating calls but use a variety to communicate. They have a special call when they sense it is about to rain. They are more active on warm, muggy nights especially after it has rained. They eat insects and are often eaten by aquatic birds, snakes, other frogs, and fish.
I enjoy seeing Kermit at night and I hope he keeps coming back. American Green Tree Frogs are a beautiful species that is pretty common in its distribution. I am glad I was able to see him as we do not have them back home.
American Green Tree Frog
Encyclopedia of Life
Pictures
Frog on Stick
Frog on Log
Frog on Leaf
No comments:
Post a Comment