Hyla Gratiosa

Dryophytes gratiosus, commonly known as the barking tree frog, is a species of tree frog endemic to the south-eastern United States.

DESCRIPTION

• It is 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in) in head-body length. It is variable in color, but easily recognizable due to the characteristic dark, round markings on its dorsum. Individuals may be bright or dull green, brown, yellowish, or gray in color with small, grey and green-yellow spots.

• It has prominent, round toe pads, and the male has a large vocal sac. It has skin that is unlike any other species of American frog. Its skin is neither rough and warty nor smooth, having skin that is thick and leathery. Its skin can also shift colors depending on lighting, time of day, temperature, or its surroundings.

• Changes in color can be rapid and the spots can seem to disappear and reappear over time.

• The eyes of Dryophytes gratiosus are brown, gold, and black.

• HABITAT

• Adult Dryophytes gratiosus usually live in trees or bushes. They can also burrow deep into mud and logs for added protection from predators.

• Barking treefrogs need shallow, semi-permanent pools with open canopies or ponds dominated by grasses, which have at least some open water for suitable breeding habitat.

REPRODUCTION

• After successful courtship, the female lays her eggs in aquatic vegetation, such as submerged plants or floating mats of vegetation in the breeding pond. The eggs are typically attached to the vegetation or deposited in gelatinous masses.

• The eggs hatch into tadpoles within a few weeks. These tadpoles are aquatic and undergo a series of developmental stages. They feed on algae, detritus, and other small organic matter present in the water.

• As the tadpoles grow, they undergo metamorphosis, gradually developing into juvenile frogs. During this process, they absorb their tails, develop limbs, and transition to a terrestrial lifestyle.

• The newly transformed juvenile frogs leave the water and begin their life on land. They resemble miniature adult frogs but are often more brightly colored and smaller in size.

• After metamorphosis, the juvenile frogs continue to grow and mature, eventually reaching full adulthood. They will participate in future breeding seasons to continue the reproductive cycle.

• It's important to note that Barking Treefrogs, like other amphibians, are dependent on suitable aquatic habitats for breeding and larval development. Conservation efforts often focus on preserving and protecting these breeding sites and the surrounding ecosystems to ensure the survival of this species and its important role in the ecosystem.