The Cold Blooded News

Tidbits of Information - Gray Tree Frog

Reprinted from the Toledo Herpetological Society Newsletter, Vol.12, No 3, March 2001.

Origin:: Canada and the United States: New Brunswick and Maine west to southern Manitoba, south to Texas and the Gulf of Mexico and across the southern Atlantic states, excluding peninsular Florida.

Habitat:: Forests, farm woodlots, swamps, margins of temporary pools, semi-permanent ponds, or old fields with breeding ponds near trees or low shrubs. Hibernate in logs, trees, and ground cover such as leaves.

Temperament:: Usually not suitable for handling that takes place on a regular basis.

Caging:: Indoors these frogs require a large, unheated vivarium located out of direct sunlight. A paper towel substrate is adequate, but a natural-looking vivarium is recommended. A flooring of potting soil (without fertilizer) covered by moss is very natural-looking. Also include any plants, such as bromeliads. Small branches are a must. These frogs are tree frogs and like to be able to sit in high places. Manzanita wood is recommended because it does not mold.

Temperature:: Requires cool temperatures (40-60°F) for a period of one to two months in order to ensure longevity and breeding. Can withstand temperatures as low as 40°F during the winter months. Sexually mature gray tree frogs can survive for several days at temperatures as low as -20°F. They produce glycerol in their blood tissues which acts as an antifreeze.

Lighting:: Ultraviolet lighting requirements for these animals is not known at this time. Ultraviolet lighting is probably beneficial for baby frogs and is required for planted vivariums.

Food:: A diet of crickets, about five crickets per adult frog twice a week, is sufficient. Be sure to dust the crickets with calcium powder. A small glass bowl can be used to contain the crickets and collect any powder residue. The frogs learn quickly where to find the crickets.

Water Requirements:: These frogs require a dish or bow] for soaking. Fill the bowl so that the frog in the sitting position could breathe comfortably. Provide a rock in the soaking dish so the frog can have a place to climb out as frogs can drown in water. Mist the cage and frogs twice a day. Use dechlorinated water at all times. Distilled water is not recommended.

Social Structure:: These frogs are easy-going and can handle being housed with other Gray Tree Frogs. Because of the similar caging requirements, these frogs can also be housed with Green Tree Frogs.

Notes:: Mucous on their large, rounded toe pads heightens surface tension and allows them to cling to smooth surfaces. Stocky appearance, skin appears "bumpy." They also have a pale spot usually outlined in black under each eye. The undersides of the thighs are bright orange or yellow. Can distinguish chrysoscelis from versicolor by their calls (chrysoscelis trills faster) or by counting chromosomes (versicolor are tetraploid while chrysoscelis are diploid).

Reference:: Behler,John L. (1992) The Audubon Society Pocket Guides: Familiar Reptiles and Amphibians: North America. Alfred A. Knoph, New York.
Conant,Roger,and Collins, Joseph T. (1998) A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians: Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York.
Harding, James H. (1997) Amphibians and Reptiles of the Great Lakes Region. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor.
Gunzi, Christiane. (1995) Amphibians and Reptiles of North America. Thunder Bay Press, 5880 Oberlin Drive, Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92121.
Mattison, Chris. (1993) Keeping and Breeding Amphibians: Caecilians, Newts, Salamanders, Frogs, and Toads. Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., New York.
Tyning, Thomas F. (1990) Stokes Nature Guides: A guide to Amphibians and Reptiles. Donald M. Stokes and Lilian Q. Stokes, eds. Little and Brown Company, Boston.
deVosjoli, PHilippe, Mailloux, Robert, and Ready, Drew. (1996) Care and Breeding of Popular Tree Frogs. Advanced Vivarium Systems, Inc., 10728 Prospect Ave., Suite G, Santee, CA 92071.